Tornado informational Guide

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In the event of a tornado threat the first thing to do is to know what alerts would be issued, different alerts are issued dependent of the situation.

• Tornado Watch: A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornado development.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted by either radar signature confirmation or on the ground confirmation from eyewitnesses reporting the sighting.
• Tornado Emergency: A rare type of alert, a tornado emergency is issued when a confirmed violent tornado posses a significant threat to human life and widescale destruction of infrastructure.

In the event of a confirmed tornado here is what measures should be taken.

• If you are in a vehicle, pull off the road and lie flat in a nearby ditch.
• If you are outside, get into a sturdy structure (preferably one with underground shelter) or lie flat in a ditch.
• If you are at home, get into underground shelter such as a basement or tornado shelter. If your home doesn't have underground shelter you should get to the most center part of the structure, use of pillows, mattresses, and wearing a helmet is recommended for protection against debris. If you are in a mobile home, get into a nearby ditch.
• DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER OVERPASSES! Overpasses are deathtraps during tornadoes, when high winds is concentrated through a small point it is amplified, anything not anchored down will be ejected through the other side and back into the tornado.

If you are in a area under a tornado threat here is how you can prepare.

• Avoid nonessential travel and have ready access to either television, radio, or cell phone so you have ready access to weather information.
• If you have any loose articles outside your home (such as garden tools, construction materials, and trash cans for example) move them inside, they will become projectiles in high winds.
• If you live in a structure that is vulnerable to tornadoes such as a mobile home or if it doesn't offer proper protection, you should start looking for structures that can provide shelter such as buildings with basements or a nearby public tornado shelter.

If a tropical storm increases intensity to be a hurricane various alerts will start to be issued, alerts are issued dependent of what conditions are anticipated.

• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible within your area.
• Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher associated with a tropical storm are expected in 36 hours or less.
• Storm Surge Watch: A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within a 48 hour period.
• Storm Surge Warning:  A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within a 36 hour period.

In the event a hurricane is heading towards your area these measures should be taken.

• If you are on the coast, you should start making preparations to gather essential belongings for evacuation.
• If you are in an area under a mandatory evacuation order, you are advised to vacate the area as soon as possible.
• If you inland or not under an evacuation order it is advised you get an NOAA weather radio (preferably one with a built-in flashlight), move any loose articles inside, and have ready access to shelter away from windows and resistant to high winds.

If you are in a area under a hurricane threat here is how you can prepare.

• Have ready access to either television, radio, or cell phone so you have ready access to weather information.
• Keep tabs for evacuation orders if there is a hurricane threat present.
• If you live in a structure that is vulnerable to hurricanes such as a mobile home or if it doesn't offer proper protection, you should start looking for structures that can provide shelter such as buildings with basements or a nearby public shelter.

If an the event of a severe thunderstorm threat the first thing to do is to know what alerts would be issued, there are two types of alerts

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: This means there is a possibility of a severe thunderstorm in your area and should take increased precautions.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: This means a  severe thunderstorm is imminent and you need to take shelter.

In the event a severe weather is imminent these measures should be taken.

• If you are on the road you should pull of and get inside a sturdy building, preferably away from large trees.
• If you are already inside a building you should avoid staying near windows.
• If you are in operation of a vehicle at the time of the  severe thunderstorm you should slow down and avoid traveling at high speeds, especially if there is high wind gusts, heavy rain, low visibility, or hailstones. If driving is too hazardous pull off on the shoulder and wait for the storm to pass.

If you are in a area under a severe thunderstorm threat here is how you can prepare.

• Move any loose articles outside indoors to avoid damage or loss.
• If you have large trees in your vicinity it is recommended to trim of large limbs or cut down the tree(s) if a fall presents a hazard to your safety or property.
• If you have any skylights on your home it's advised to shield it against debris or hail strikes. The same applies if you have roof mounted solar panels.