Tornado Preparedness

Here's what you can do to prepare for such an emergency.

PPrepare a Home Tornado Plan

• Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
• If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
  

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing--First

• Canned food and can opener
• At least three gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
  
  

Stay Tuned For Storm Warnings:

• Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
• Know what a tornado WATCH and WARNING means:
  • A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.
  • A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area.
    Go to safety immediately.

• Tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by county or parish.