Be Prepared & Stay Safe in the Event of a Tornado

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

Now that the warmer months have arrived, we are seeing beautiful flowering trees, warmer temperatures and budding tulips. But with the wonderful warmer season, also comes the threat of tornadoes.

Tornadoes often appear with little warning and bring strong, disastrous winds. Serious damage, including structural and water damage, often occur. While tornadoes are difficult to predict, we can prepare for them by thinking ahead and coming up with a tornado safety plan ahead of time.

Dr. Greg Forbes, a severe weather expert at The Weather Channel, suggests following these tips in order to be ready if a tornado strikes:

1. Figure out a safe place to ride out the storm – If caught out in a storm, get home as quickly as possible, and if that’s not possible, get to a sturdy building.
2. Get away from windows and get underground – Stay as far away from windows as possible and make every effort to get underground. A basement or a storm shelter is an ideal location to ride out the storm.
3. If a tornado appears while you’re on the road… Make every attempt to find a safe building for shelter. If you can’t find one, NEVER hide under an overpass. It is safer to find a ditch, get down and cover your head. Get as far away from your vehicle as possible.
4. Put on your shoes and a helmet – If you are home when the storm hits, prepare for the worst. Put on shoes just in case your home is damaged and you may be forced to walk through debris. If you own a bike helmet, it could save you from life-threatening head trauma.
5. Keep your pets on a leash or in a carrier, and bring them with you – Your pets are part of your family so make sure to bring them with you to your safe place. Make sure their collar is on for identification and keep them leashed if they are not in a crate.
6. Don’t leave your home and try to drive away from a tornado – Tornadoes can shift their path, and if you think you are directly in line of the storm, being in your home is safer than being in your car.

Tornadoes are unpredictable and can devastate a home and neighborhood in seconds. Flooding and water damage can also occur due to structural damage caused by the severe winds. Being prepared and knowing what to do if caught in a tornado increases the chances of safety and survival during the storm.

SERVPRO of Boone County is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency service after storm damage. So if you need help, call us anytime!

859-746-3400