Even though only 10% of reported head injuries are severe, they are the most common cause of death following a tornado. US Dept of Commerce When a tornado strikes, decisions must be made fast and actions taken immediately. If there are enough enclosed places on the second floor with no direct exposure to the exterior, BUILDING STRENGTH: Architecturally, how sound is the construction of the main building? Be alert to the changing weather conditions. They were advised to lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover head with their hands. [14], After the 2013 Moore tornado, it became apparent that thousands of people attempt to flee major tornadoes, and this has been credited with reducing the death toll. That will require a customized drill which will vary from building to building, so the guidelines here must be rather open-ended by necessity. He found that the southwest corner and the south side were the least safe. kN>! 4TZfD6P cAE Make sure someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the school is damaged. Tornado Drill Information - National Weather Service Similar to a fire drill, a tornado drill allows a family, community, business or other organization to exercise their plans and familiarize themselves with actions needed to take if a tornado warning is issued, according to Jeff Caldwell, director of external affairs at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). Amanda Schmidt, AccuWeather staff writer. Listen to radio and television for information when severe weather is likely. If there is actual severe weather occurring on the morning of March 7, 2023, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed. If you are in a wheelchair, get away from windows and go to an interior room of the house. %PDF-1.5 [9], During August 2010, FEMA advised people to perform the following actions when a tornado struck. For example: Do more safe areas need to be identified? Students should not be sent home early if severe weather is approaching. Remember to protect your head. Listen to radio and television for information. If there isnt time to get to a tornado shelter or to a lower level, try to get under a door frame or get up against something that will support or deflect falling debris. Continuous Tone), or a voice announcement. Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection. D5m W{Yo:qEgN.ec~"'Q0EYuR+X8#E YXV!CSHqR]tl8_Sb`t,b@'5Csie~?? %lf\/GJ6xacTr] TEqIec`r(1G9h"@9w3p`@0$8s4g=Whnb& Plan for a. If youre unable to move from a bed or a chair and assistance is not available, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows. Seek shelter in a sturdy building, or underground if possible. When a tornado watch is issued, think about the drill and check to make sure all your For example, the idea of a relatively safe hallway becomes invalid if the hall is lined with plate glass, or if it has windows to the outdoors. If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway,leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. 20D%U)i:v"QL y(324r/ Please Contact Us. Tornado Preparedness Tips for School Administrators A successful tornado drill will prompt a discussion about emergency plans. Event Summaries, Weather Safety Replace stored water and food every six months. Please Contact Us. If outdoors, lie down in a gully or ditch. There were no building codes requiring tornado shelters nor specifically designed to prevent tornado damage[17] until the 2011 Joplin tornado prompted a local ordinance requiring hurricane ties or similar fasteners. Season Snowfall Maps If there is no time to do that, get under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands. Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. Tornadoes can also accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet. If people choose to use helmets, these helmets should not be considered an alternative to seeking appropriate shelter. Post emergency telephone numbers by phones; Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them; Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home; Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Tips for avoiding injury: completely close all inside doors, lock all outside doors, wearing sturdy shoes or boots, a helmet, long sleeves, gloves, and a heavy quilt or coat can offer extra protection from shards of glass, splinters and other airborne objects. Have them assume the tornado protection position (shown at right). Get some extra cash for when credit cards do not work. Welcome to the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness All administrators of schools, shopping Employees should act as though a tornado warning has been issued for the immediate area or a tornado has been sighted . The goal has been to put as many walls as possible between the safe room and the outside. This sort of room has inherent structural weaknesses with lack of roof support, making them especially prone to collapse with weaker wind loading than more compact areas of the same school building. Are The drill began at 9:30 a.m. All businesses, schools,. Make special provisions for disabled students and those in portable hour, or 440 feet (134 m) per second. Use common sense and exercise caution. The drill is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums offer no protection from tornado strength winds. They were repaired & retested on Tuesday by the Nashville Office of Emergency Management's Outdoor Tornado Warning Siren System . Climate records by month They maintained that position for several minutes until the alarm stopped, minutes later. Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds. Therefore, if a tornado warning is issued, everyone will know what to do and have experience taking shelter. Discuss the information you have gathered. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. In a multi-story building, an internal stairway (away from broken windows) often acts as a safe haven, due to the stairs reinforcing the walls and blocking any major debris falling from above. When developing your plan, keep in mind certain factors, such as the different ages of family members, your pets or service animals, the dietary and medical needs of your household members including prescriptions and equipment. It is very important for teachers, principals and other adult authority figures to set a calm example for students at the disaster scene, and reassure those who are shaken. H8/E>D3[o%1 Y2.,7XU2/A~i_W0uG05Y \Z:nfur%9B(PGtQ4Sq84HQt.;v_`.cQmz'cQC:-a>zUh 9X9\K>vx=8Sh).ajl_[q24OZ4:fvEP2,ZH PDF Tornado safety in schools - National Weather Service What to do During a Tornado - National Weather Service A carefully developed tornado drill should be run several times a year to keep students and staff in good practice, and to work out any kinks in the drill before it is needed for real. What should go into a successful tornado drill for your family Tornado Drill Procedures - YouTube Signs that a tornado may be approaching include. The fourth step is to practice your plan with your household. In a church or theater: Do not panic. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible. to meet after a disaster. Long-span buildings, such as malls, theaters, and gyms, are especially dangerous because the roof is usually supported only by the outside walls. glass? Most of any tornado's damage track is actually much weaker and can be survived using sound safety practices. Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. The second step is to consider the specific needs in your household. hb```i,)B Cover your head with anything available, even your hands. [2] Also, some tornadoes have been seen against sunlit areas, but rain or nearby low-hanging clouds has obscured other tornadoes. [11] Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes. PDF Tornado Drill for Schools - National Weather Service Carefully render aid to those who are injured. The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast in the U.S., but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction. x} |J$,Ev\D,V( $(*KZPH>V%33wf}730yKf9YH #?L:t\,Sb-KDqHkQK$yO%yx\!\XD/Qs_3z|y9j~A1 During the drill, everyone in the state is encouraged to discuss and practice their plans on what to do during a tornado warning. If there is no time to do that, get under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands. Consider the aerial photo of Caledonia (MS) High School (below) as an outstanding example of this, when the near side was hit by a tornado in January 2008. Dont try to outrun a tornado. Please select one of the following: Map of NOAA Weather Radio stations across Michigan. 1 weather-related killer and can occur at any time of the year, making advance preparation vital.  If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible. Weather Ready Nation Portable classrooms are like mobile homes -- exceptionally dangerous in a tornado. "The ultimate goal is to increase understanding of the actions you, your family, your business, or your students will take," Caldwell said. This is usually a room deep inside the . In addition to urban traffic, evacuation can also be hampered by flash flooding produced by associated thunderstorms, and the need to be certain about the position and direction of the tornado. Families should be prepared for all hazards that affect their area. Children are safer at school than in a bus or car. Practice tornado drills. A tornado funnel can be transparent until reaching an area with loose dirt and debris. Tornado Facts and Safety Tips; Fire Drills and Tornado Safety Precautions (ORC 3737.73) Emergency Evacuation Drills - Fire, Tornado; School Drills and Fire Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic (State Fire Marshal) COVID-19 Health and Prevention Guidance for Ohio K-12 Schools (Ohio Depts.