Unlike the 1996 Hollywood movie that created an internet meme of a cow flying in the air, twisters, or tornadoes, are no laughing matter.
Tornadoes happen in all 50 states and they take many forms. In the West, they may be known as Dust Devils, Dust Cyclones, or Sand Devils. They can be small in nature or they could be immense. The winds of Dust Devils aren’t as strong as compared to other regions, but the fact that they blanket the skyline with dust, reduce visibility by up to 100%, and can cause inhalation problems or get in your engine, still drives a need for high concern. When mixed with water, a tornado becomes a water cyclone or water spout. But among all 50 states where tornadoes could manifest, there is one region where tornadoes are frequent. That region is known as Tornado Alley. Regardless of where you live, you must familiarize yourself with the potential hazards a tornado can cause and what steps you can take to prepare for one.
Monitor the News
Meteorologists and weather systems have become much more adept in forecasting and predicting weather patterns that could manifest into tornadoes. While understanding obvious weather patterns that could form tornadoes is simple and evacuating or taking preparedness steps to avoid injury or death is convenient, why are there still so many injuries and deaths attributed to tornadoes? The simple answer is that most tornadoes manifest during the late hours to early morning when people are still asleep. That’s right! Tornadoes like to sneak up on you as you sleep and turn your lovely little dream into a real nightmare. Like what happened in Kentucky on December 10, 2021, several tornadoes spawned in the late evening that destroyed buildings and killed 57 people. For more information, browse the Wikipedia link here or the Louisville Courier Journal here.
Evacuate
If given the chance, either by your own presumption or by orders of the local government, then evacuate from the risk area to a safer place out of the path of a tornado. Remember to evacuate the opposite way of where the tornado is. It makes no sense if your evacuation route bypasses the tornado. Ensure beforehand, especially if you live in an area prone to frequent tornadoes, that you and your family members each have at least a 72-hour bug-out bag, or survival bag, with your essential needs and emergency tools, one bag for each member of the family. Always ensure your vehicle is fueled up and that you have a rendezvous point in case your family has to split up or one that you know will be safe from tornadoes and other hazards.
Seek Shelter
If you cannot evacuate safely because the tornado is knocking at your neighbor’s door and you only have minutes before the tornado comes ripping through your home, then you will need to seek shelter. Your shelter spot should be the sturdiest place you can find, with as little furniture, decors, or windows as possible. Once you have situated yourself in your shelter spot, you will need to maintain a low profile. Crouch while tucking your head down with your hands. Minimize your body space so there will be less of a chance of debris striking your body. If you can find padding, such as from a pillow, blanket, or mattress, then take shelter under those as well, as they will likely soften any impact from falling debris.
So what are good shelter-in-place spots in your home? The ideal place if you have one is a basement. Much to what you may have seen in cartoons, tornadoes ride along the surface. If you are sheltering below the surface, the tornado will pass over you. Not to mention, there are less debris that will be falling on you because you have taken shelter below the surface. Just ensure that your sub-surface hiding spot has an emergency escape route. You do not want to take shelter underneath the surface and have your only egress route blocked by debris. Another ideal place if you do not have a basement or an underground hiding spot, then choose a room with the least amount of windows, notably a closet, bathroom, or stairwell. This will reduce flying glass from cutting you up.
Mobile Home
If you live in a mobile home, RUN! Mobile homes are a tornado magnet and if you happen to be in a mobile home when a tornado strikes in Arkansas, you will find yourself emerging from the debris in the next state over. That’s because mobile homes are easily picked up and tossed away by tornadoes. I mean, the clue is in the name…MOBILE HOME.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preparation is the key. Monitor the news and look for irregular or hazardous weather patterns that indicate a tornado can occur. Prepare your emergency kits, bug-out bags, and an evacuation route. Evacuate to a safe rendezvous point if possible. If not, seek shelter either in an underground or sub-surface opening, like a basement, root cellar, or open grave in a cemetery. If none available, shelter in place in the sturdiest room available with no windows or heavy furniture. Avoid sheltering in mobile homes or vehicles. Flee immediately and if you are tuck in the open, with no durable building or ditch around, lie flat face down covering the back of your head with your arms for protection. Hopefully, you will survive and learn to prepare for the next one.
For more specific survival tips against tornadoes, be sure to check out our survival tips page.
