Tornados

What is a Tornado? A tornado is a violent storm with whirling winds of up to 300 miles per hour. It appears as a funnel-shaped cloud, from gray to black in color, which extends to the ground from the base of the thunderstorm.

Tornado Watch: The National Weather Service broadcasts severe weather conditions over the emergency alert system as well as NOAA Weather Radio. When they post a tornado watch, they want the public to know that conditions are right for a tornado.

Tornado Warning: When a tornado warning is posted for a given area, a tornado has been sighted or is visible on radar. A location of the sighting is normally given along with its projected movement.

Safety Tips- Knowing simple safety rules and taking immediate action can save your life. Have a family plan in place and be sure that all family members are familiar with the plan. The following tips are offered by the Sanibel Emergency Management Department:

Go to an inside room without windows on the lowest level of the house (a closet, bathroom, or interior hall). Protect your body from flying debris with a heavy blanket or sleeping bag.

Avoid windows. Opening windows to equalize pressure is ineffective in reducing damage during a tornado. Don’t worry about the windows. Worry about finding shelter and protecting yourself.

Mobile homes are extremely unsafe during tornados. Seek shelter elsewhere.

If there is no time to go anywhere else, seek shelter right where you are. Try to get up against something that will support or deflect falling debris. Protect your head by covering it with your arms.

If you are outside when a tornado strikes, try to find shelter immediately in the nearest substantial building. If no buildings are close, take cover by lying down flat in a ditch or depression.

If you are in a car, get out of your vehicle and try to find shelter. A culvert or ditch can provide shelter if a substantial building is not nearby.