Tornadoes: Planning, Safety & Protection
Tornadoes: Planning, Safety & Protection
Tornadoes are violent storms, rotating columns of air capable of reaching 250 miles per hour. Tornadoes can happen at any time of year or at any time of the day or night. They are more common and active in early spring and July.
The most common regions in the United States to experience tornadoes: northern and southern plains, gulf coast, and upper Midwest. On average, the US experiences 1,200 a year. That’s more than any other country.
Identifying a tornado coming can be done by looking out for:
- Olive/dark green skies
- Big sized hail
- Dark, rotating, low-altitude cloud
- Loud roaring like thunder
- Meteorologists
- Weather apps
- Tornado apps
If a tornado is headed your way, having a plan in place will go a long way. Below are a few considerations.
Tornado Preparation: Before and After
Ready.gov recommends the following for tornado planning:
- Know your area’s tornado risk.
- Identify a safe shelter: a small interior- a room with no windows, a bathtub, etc.
- Register for weather warning systems; The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Weather Radio provide tornado/emergency alerts.
- Listen to Meteorologists who can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado.
What happens after the tornado? Ready.gov provides the following advice:
- Continue to listen to EAS, NOAA, Weather Radio, and local Meteorologists for updated information.
- If you’re unable to leave your shelter- cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Let people know you are there by sending a text, banging on the wall, and/or using a whistle.
- Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
- Do not enter damaged buildings.
- If phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster- try social media communication instead.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Contact your insurance agent/insurance carrier as soon as you can to file your claim. Take photos of the damage for documentation. If temporary repairs are needed- it’s a good idea to make those- just save all receipts and documentation. Also, making a list of damages and personal property destroyed will help on all sides.
Checkout This Tool
Know Your Plan™– it’s an award-winning app that helps people prepare to safely get out of harm’s way before potential tragedy strikes. The app is available for download on Android devices.
Do you have enough insurance coverage? Now may be a good time to contact your insurance agent to discuss.
