tornado safety
planning for a disaster
Tornado Safety
Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are more frequent in the United States. On average, 1,200 tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide each year. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year and most often strike between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm. In the Southern states, peak tornado season is March through May. In the northern states, peak tornado season is June through August.
Safety Basics
A tornado’s path of destruction can be more than one mile wide and 50 miles long and can devastate a neighborhood in seconds. You may have little warning, so preparation and planning are key to reducing injuries.
Illinois Tornadoes by Year
It is important to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado.
Before...
- Practice tornado drills at home and school.
- Have a plan for how family members will contact one another during an emergency. Establish an out-of-area contact (such as a relative or family friend) who can coordinate family member's locations and information should you become separated. Make sure children learn the phone numbers and addresses, and know the emergency plans.
- Prepare a family disaster supplies kit. Families with children should have each child create their own personal pack.
during...
During a tornado watch:
- Remain inside, away from windows and doors.
- Listen to the radio or TV. Keep a battery-operated radio or a NOAA Weather Radio near by.
- Make sure your family disaster supplies kit is complete.
- Be alert during a thunderstorm watch. Sever thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Being prepared will give you more time should the weather turn severe.
- Be alert during a thunderstorm watch. Sever thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Being prepared will give you more time should the weather turn severe.
During a tornado watch:
- Listen to the radio or TV for weather updates and instructions from local officials. Quick action and planning ahead can save your life!
- If you get caught in a tornado, know what to do. Take shelter immediately.
- Stay away from windows, corners, doors, and outside walls.
- Be aware of flying debris.
- Crouch on the floor near an interior wall or under a heavy object, such as a table.
- Bend over and place your arms on the back of your head and neck (which are injured more easily than other parts of your body).
- Be aware of flying debris.
- Crouch on the floor near an interior wall or under a heavy object, such as a table.
- Bend over and place your arms on the back of your head and neck (which are injured more easily than other parts of your body).
AFTER...
- Continue to listen to the news and weather updates.
- Stay away from power lines and broken glass.
- Be aware of the possibility of broken gas lines and chemical spills. If you smell gas or chemical fumes, immediately evacuate the area and contact authorities.
- Stay out of buildings and return home only after authorities have issued an all-clear signal.
