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Average response time - 6.53 minutes

For Non-Emergency Calls, Contact Fire Station Headquarters at (513) 459-0875

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.

Tornado Myths:

MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
FACT: No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980's, a tornado swept through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 ft. mountain.

MYTH: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.
FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.

MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
FACT: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.

Tornadoes Occur Anywhere!

Frequency of Tornadoes

Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year.
In the southern states, peak tornado occurrence is in March through May, while peak months in the northern states are during the summer.
Note, in some states, a secondary tornado maximum occurs in the fall.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m. but have been known to occur at all hours of the day or night.
The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction. The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.
The total number of tornadoes is probably higher than indicated in the western states. Sparse population reduces the number reported.

STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE STORM...By listening to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, and television for the latest tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS.When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado WATCH is issued.

NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS THE BEST MEANS TO RECEIVE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

Environmental Clues - Look out for:

• Dark, often greenish sky
• Wall cloud
• Large hail
• Loud roar; similar to a freight train

Caution: Some tornadoes appear as a visible funnel extending only partially to the ground. Look for signs of debris below the visible funnel.

Some tornadoes are clearly visible while others are obscured by rain or nearby low-hanging clouds.

These dangers often accompany thunderstorms:

• Flash Floods: Number ONE weather killer - 146 deaths annually
• Lightning: Kills 75-100 people each year
• Damaging Straight-line Winds: Can reach 140 mph
• Large Hail: Can reach the size of a grapefruit - causes several hundred million dollars in damage annually to property and crops

Before the Storm:

• Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, , school and when outdoors.
• Have frequent drills.
• Know the county/parish in which you live, and keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
• Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings.
• Listen to radio and television for information.
• If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible.

Gather information about hazards.

Meet with your family to create a plan.

Implement your plan.

A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE:

• A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil
• one change of clothing and footwear per person
• one blanket or sleeping bag per person
• a first-aid kit, including prescription medicines
• emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries
• an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash
• special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

 Practice and maintain your plan.

After the Tornado
First make sure that the tornado or tornadoes are truly gone. Stay tuned to The Weather Channel or your local television or radio station to get the latest emergency information.

How To Help Injured Others

  Help injured or trapped persons by administering First Aid and immediately calling 911 if there are life threatening injuries.

Beware Of Hazards

  Stay away from downed power lines, and be sure to report them to your utility company.

  Stay away from damaged buildings until inspectors have given you the green light.

  If floods result from the severe thunderstorms, watch for snakes and other animals forced into your home from flood waters.

  Evacuate if you smell fumes or gas and notify emergency personnel.

  To prevent accidental fires, use flashlights, not candles, to see if power is on or off after a tornado. (More people die from candle-related fires after a disaster strikes then from the disaster itself.)

  If your home has been spared, keep children and pets inside.

  If pets must be walked outside, keep them on a leash.

Repairing The Damage

  Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing as you begin cleaning up.

  Clean up dangerous spills immediately ? medicines, bleaches, chemicals, gasoline, or other flammable liquids.

Assess Psychological Effects
In addition to the obvious physical damage, tornadoes can sometimes cause emotional trauma and distress. Crisis counseling can help.

  Should you or your children need or desire crisis counseling, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for information about resources in your area.

  Finally, address your problems one at a time. Preparation may help you save lives and avoid injury. The rest can be rebuilt.

Check Out Other Information Resources

  American Red Cross

  Your city or municipal Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

  Carefully evaluate the situation before bringing in outdoor items.

  Make sure you have a portable radio for information.

  Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home (basement or storm cellar). If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway, a smaller inner room, or a closet. Keep away from all windows.

  You can cushion yourself with a mattress, but do not use one to cover yourself. Do cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass. Don't waste time moving mattresses around.

  Keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier.

  Multiple tornadoes can emerge from the same storm.

  Do not go out until officials say it is safe.

In A Mobile Home

  Leave your mobile home immediately and take shelter elsewhere.

Outside

  Try to get inside and seek out a small protected space with no windows.

  Avoid large-span roof areas such as school gymnasiums, arenas, or shopping malls.

  If you cannot get inside, crouch for protection beside a strong structure, or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head and neck with your arms or a piece of clothing.

In A Car
Ideally, you should avoid driving when tornadoes or other kinds of dangerous weather threaten, as a vehicle is a very unsafe place to be. If, however, this is not possible, stay as calm as possible, and assess the situation.

  Your best option might be to get out of the car and lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area that is of sufficient depth to provide protection from the wind.

  If you do so, beware of water runoff from heavy rain that could pose a hazard, get as far away from the vehicle as possible, and shield your head from flying debris.

  Or, more optimally, if possible take shelter immediately in a nearby building.

  Do not leave a building to attempt to "escape" a tornado.

  If you are already in a sturdy building, do not get in a vehicle to try to outrun a tornado.

Check Out Other Information Resources

  Your city or municipal Emergency Management Agency (EMA)