Tornado Readiness: Be Weather Aware

Power - by Joe Weber - updated on 6/3/2024

Unfortunately, as many of us in the south are well aware, tornado season is in full swing. States like Oklahoma have already experienced over 50 tornadoes this year as this is being written (early May 2024), and more are expected.

All severe weather should be taken seriously, but hurricanes tend to get the most attention due to their large area of devastation. In truth, over 30 years, tornadoes have caused more fatalities   on average than most severe weather events in the United States. It's time for us to bring tornado safety into the conversation.

What Is A Tornado?

It's a fairly simple question but let's break it down.

A tornado forms from large, supercell thunderstorms. Inside the storm clouds, warm, humid air rises, while cooler air falls (along with rain or hail). These stark differences in temperatures can cause spinning air currents inside the cloud. Although the spinning currents start horizontally, they can turn vertically and drop down from the cloud, becoming a tornado.

The resulting tornado is a violently rotating column of air that forms a connection between the Earth's surface and the clouds. Here are some important facts about tornadoes:

• They are some of the most violent weather events we encounter. Winds can reach a staggering 250 miles per hour in the strongest tornadoes.
• The location of "Tornado Alley" in the United States has shifted over the years. In recent decades, scientists and meteorologists have noticed a shift eastward   in the occurrence of tornadoes.
• Tornadoes occur globally. They are not tied to a specific environment or location.

How Are Tornadoes Classified?

Tornadoes were classified using the Fujita Scale but as of 2007, they are now being classified using the Enhanced Fujita Scale  . The EF Scale is based on the estimated wind speeds of the tornado combined with damage resulting from the tornado. The EF Scale goes from EF0 to EF5.

EF Rating	3-Second Wind Gusts (mph)
EF0	65 - 85
EF1	86 - 110
EF2	111 - 135
EF3	136 - 165
EF4	166 - 200
EF5	Over 200

There is also an "EFU" rating that you might come across when looking at tornado occurrences. This rating was created to classify tornadoes that could not be designated due to a lack of damage evidence.

How Do I Prepare For A Tornado?

The key is to keep your family safe during a tornado. They are scary, violent, and unpredictable but I promise you that preparation is vital to staying safe.

Before a tornado

1. Have a reliable weather radio, and preferably one with an emergency backup power source for when the power goes out.
2. Make sure you receive emergency alerts on your phone.
3. Download a local news station app on your phone so you can keep track of weather events if you lose power.
4. A basement or underground storm shelter is the best choice for safe shelter during a tornado.
5. If you don't have either, have a designated spot in your home that you will use as a storm shelter.
   1. Your space should be in the innermost room, hallway or closet on the lowest level of the building. Essentially, put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
6. Stock your shelter with non-perishable food, water, clothing and essentials in case you are in your shelter for a long period. You never know how long you'll be there so be prepared.
   1. Don't forget about your pets! Stock food and water for them too.

During a tornado

1. Immediately go to your shelter.
   Do not ignore tornado sirens or warnings.
2. Stay away from windows and doors.
3. Protect your head and neck with your arms and cover yourself in thick blankets or pillows to help protect yourself from flying debris

This is going to sound like a pretty obvious thing but I know you've seen videos on social media so it must be said…

Do NOT go outside and watch the tornado. This is extremely reckless and very dangerous.

After a tornado

1. Continue to pay attention to weather alerts and the news.
2. Call 911 if you or anyone you are with are injured.
3. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing when maneuvering to protect yourself from rubble and debris.
4. Keep lines of communication open so you can let loved ones and others know that you're safe.

What Items Should I Keep On Hand for Tornado Preparedness?

You should keep several items stocked and in your storm shelter at all times. Many of these are items that already have lying around the house but some you need to think about proactively so you are prepared for the storm.

• Food - Non-perishable is best and will reduce the amount of food you have to restock over time.
• Water - Keep a lot of bottled water available in your shelter. If you are concerned about plastic bottles, there are glass-bottled brands available.
• Clothing - Stay warm and dry with fresh clothes and shoes.
• First aid kit - Cuts and scrapes can easily happen in this type of emergency. Be ready with a well-stocked first aid kit.
• Flashlights - A quality flashlight is an essential item in any emergency kit because it provides light when the power goes out, helps you navigate in the dark, and can signal for help.
• Batteries - Keep flashlights and other gear powered with a stockpile of AA, AAA, C, D and 9V alkaline batteries.
• Power Banks - One of the most important tools during an emergency is your cell phone. Keep it powered with small power banks that can charge smaller electronic devices.
• Power Stations - Ranging in size from 300 - 1500 watt-hours, X2Power Lithium Power Stations will allow you to power small electronics up to home appliances when you don't have power. Think of them as generators that you can use indoors.
• Medications - If you take important medications, make sure you grab them before you enter your shelter.
• Pet food - Pets are part of the family. Make sure to keep extra pet food so they don't go hungry.

If you need a little extra help with compiling a list of things you need to have in your emergency kit, Ready.gov has an easy-to-follow Build A Kit   page that outlines everything you need to have in your emergency preparedness kit.

Let Batteries Plus Help You Weather the Storm

At Batteries Plus, we are not just about car batteries, we are here to help you build your emergency kit and keep you powered during storm season. In addition to helping you stock your emergency kit, we also carry generators to keep your home powered should you need long-term power. Stop by your nearest Batteries Plus or shop online to see all we have to offer.

Need a little help picking out a great flashlight for your emergency kit? In "Great Lights for Your Storm Emergency Kit" we discuss several great flashlight options to keep for emergencies.