How to stay safe during a tornado

Tornadoes are powerful storms that feature rotating columns of air and violent thunderstorms that reach from sky to ground. People in the path of tornadoes must recognize that these storms can topple homes, flip cars and send debris flying into the air.

The National Weather Service indicates about 1,200 tornadoes occur in the United States each year. The United States and Canada account for the most tornadoes in the world each year, though Canada, which experiences roughly 100 tornadoes yearly, gets far fewer than the U.S. The Government of Canada’s Get Prepared website says tornadoes can last from a few minutes to several hours, and are most likely to occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tornadoes can occur at any time of year, and also outside of areas that are typically associated with the storms. That means it is imperative for just about everyone to know how to act in the event of a tornado. These safety tips can help people get ready.

Watch vs. warning

The American Red Cross says either a watch or a warning is issued for tornadoes. A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area and everyone should be prepared to act quickly. A tornado warning means a tornado is near and there is danger. Everyone should move to a safe location immediately when a warning is issued.

Emergency kit

It is important to assemble an emergency kit that can facilitate riding out a tornado. The kit should contain:

• Water (enough for each person for several days)

• Food that won’t spoil, such as canned goods

• Manual can opener

• Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight and radio

• First aid kit

• Extra car and house keys

• Cash

• Important family documents

• Infant formula/diapers

• Extra prescription medication

Seek safe shelter

The emergency kit should be housed in a safe shelter. A safe shelter means a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building, according to Ready. gov, the official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. As the tornado blows through, protect your head and neck with your arms and by putting materials such as blankets on top of you.

If you are caught outside in a vehicle during a tornado, you might be able to drive out of the tornado’s path by moving at right angles to the tornado if it is far enough away; otherwise, park the car out of traffic lanes and stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, and cover your head with a cushion, coat, or blanket, if possible. If you can get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, such as in a ditch or valley, leave the car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

Practice an emergency plan

It’s vital that households establish an emergency tornado plan and practice it often, especially for people who live in an area prone to tornadoes. Practice moving to the safe locations you’ve identified. If you live in a mobile home, practice going to a safe place.

Tornadoes can rip apart lives in an instant with strong winds that can reach upwards of 200 miles per hour. Rain, lightning and even hail can make tornadoes even more dangerous. Everyone should know what to do if a tornado is spotted in the area.