CRAIGHEAD COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TIPS for TORNADO SAFETY

      When a tornado threatens, your immediate action can save the lives of you and your family!

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STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS, DOORS, and OUTSIDE WALLS.

PROTECT YOUR HEAD.

• In homes and small buildings, go to the basement or to an interior part on the lowest level such as a closet, bathroom, or interior hall and get under something sturdy.

• In schools, nursing homes, hospitals, factories, and in shopping centers, go to the pre-designated shelter area.   Interior hallways on the lowest floor are usually the best.

• In high-rise buildings, go to small interior rooms or hallways.

• In vehicles or mobile homes, leave them and go to a substantial structure.  If  there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert with your hands shielding your head.

TORNADOES will often accompany a Severe Thunderstorm and are only one of many thunderstorm hazards.  Find below a list of other Thunderstorm Hazards:

• LIGHTNING - Kills and injures hundreds and starts fires.  Having your home or a building properly grounded will help prevent a lightning strike and probable damage to household/business equipment and/or appliances.

• WINDS - Winds of a thunderstorm are usually very strong, and gusty which can result in a great amount of damage.

• RAIN - Heavy downpours can result in flash floods.

• HAIL - Not usually a killer but can be very damaging.

• FLASH FLOODS - Waters that can rise rapidly and without warning.  They can destroy life and property.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATCH AND A WARNING, YOUR LIFE COULD DEPEND ON IT.

When Severe weather threatens STAY TUNED TO YOUR LOCAL RADIO AND/OR TELEVISION STATION FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.