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Tornadoes are the
most violent atmospheric phenomenon on the
planet. Winds of 200-300 mph can occur with the
most violent tornadoes. If a tornado was
approaching, would you know what to do?
The following are instructions on
what to do when a tornado warning has been
issued for your area or whenever a tornado
threatens.
-
In homes or small
buildings, go to the basement (if available) or
to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as
a closet or bathroom. Wrap yourself in overcoats
or blankets to protect yourself from flying
debris.
-
In schools,
hospitals, factories or shopping centers, go to
interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor.
Stay away from glass enclosed places or areas
with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and
warehouses. Crouch down and cover your head.
-
In high rise
buildings, go to interior small rooms or halls.
Stay away from exterior walls or glassy areas.
-
In cars or mobile
homes, abandon them immediately!! Most deaths
occur in cars and mobile homes. If you are in
either of those locations, leave them and go to
a substantial structure or designated tornado
shelter. If in your car, remember that highway
bridges are not designed as tornado shelters,
and make for very poor shelter.
-
If no suitable
structure is nearby, lie flat in the nearest
ditch or depression and use your hands to cover
your head.
Actual tornadoes
- on the ground, causing damage - do NOT occur
as frequently in Moore as one might think.
According to the National Weather Service storm
database for Cleveland County, about a dozen
tornadoes have struck Moore or the immediate
area in the past 50 years. Of these, only two
have been significant in terms of destruction
and fatalities: an F3 tornado that struck on
November 19, 1973; and an extremely violent F5
tornado that devastated the northwestern part of
Moore on May 3, 1999. However from these dozen
events, there are only 7 known fatalities (five
of which occurred during the 5/3/99 event). |
