Tornado Safety

August 7, 2015

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To most Canadians, summer means picnics, barbecues, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities. However, it also means that it’s peak tornado season in Canada.

Tornadoes are defined as violent columns of air varying in size, wind speed and direction. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Canada ranks second in the world in terms of tornado frequency. Canada experiences, on average, 80 to 100 tornadoes per year.

Know the Difference Between a Tornado Watch and a Warning

Tornado Watch – Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!

Tornado Warning – A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately underground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom).

How to Prepare for a Tornado

  • Know your community’s warning system. Communities have different ways of warning residents about tornadoes, with many having sirens intended for outdoor warning purposes.
  • During any storm, listen to your local news and stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.
  • Pick a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado. This room should be a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
  • Practice periodic tornado drills so that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching.
  • Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged limbs from trees.
  • Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile object.

Watch for These Tornado Danger Signs:

  • Dark, often greenish clouds – a phenomenon caused by hail
  • Wall cloud – an isolated lowering of the base of a thunderstorm
  • A cloud of debris
  • Large hail
  • Funnel cloud – a visible rotating extension of the cloud base
  • Roaring noise

What to Do During a Tornado

  • The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
  • If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the most reliable alternative.
  • Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds.
  • Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home.
  • Do not wait until you see the tornado.
If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter:
  • Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.

If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort:

  • Stay in the car with your seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering your hands with a blanket if possible.
  • If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

Here are some steps you can take after a storm to help with safety, restoration and future tornado preparation:

  1. Ensure that you and those around you are not injured, and contact medical personnel, if necessary.
  2. Clean up an oil, gas or chemical spills immediately. These can be potential fire hazards.
  3. Avoid downed power lines and damaged buildings.
  4. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to assess any damage to personal property. Contractors can help estimate the cost of repairs. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the damage for personal records.
  5. Reinforce and make repairs to certain aspects of your home, like load-bearing frames and the foundation, if possible, in preparation for future storms. Adding additional support to garage doors during a rebuild can help prevent wind damage.

Make sure you have the essential tornado emergency kit items ready for this type of disaster. Listed below are items you should have in the case of an emergency:

  • Non-perishable food, such as meals that are ready to eat
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days)
  • Shelter in the form of a tent or tarps
  • Rain gear
  • Emergency power source (generator if available)
  • Emergency blankets or sleeping bags
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Signal flares
  • Battery, solar or self powered radio
  • Light sticks
  • Rope
  • Air horn or whistles for signaling
  • First aid kit
  • Medicine (prescription medication and/or over the counter medication)
  • Shoes or boots
  • Extra clothing
  • Extra car/house keys
  • Cash or credit cards
  • Dust mask
  • Make copies of your important documents and papers
  • Written instruction on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise

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