Sherburne County Skywarn

Severe Weather Safety Guide

Contents

• Tornado Safety
• Flash Flood Safety
• Lightning Safety
• Winter Storm/Blizzard Preparedness and Safety
• Hurricane Preparedness and Safety
• Other Severe Weather Safety Links
  
  
• Summer Weather Safety

Tornado Safety

Tornadoes are the most violent atmospheric phenomenon on the planet. Winds of 200-300 mph can occur with the most violent tornadoes. The following are instructions on what to do when a tornado warning has been issued for your area or whenever a tornado threatens:

• IN HOMES OR SMALL BUILDINGS:

• Go to the basement (if available) or to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom. Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself from flying debris.

• IN SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, FACTORIES, OR SHOPPING CENTERS:

• Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses. See the left figure for an example of where to go in a school. Crouch down and cover your head as shown in the right figure.

• IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS:

• Go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls or glassy areas.
  

Photo courtesy of the Institute for Disaster Research

• IN CARS OR MOBILE HOMES:

• ABANDON THEM IMMEDIATELY!! Most deaths occur in cars and mobile homes. If you are in either of those locations, leave them and go to a substantial structure or designated tornado shelter. The picture below illustrates clearly what a violent tornado can do to a car.
  

• IF NO SUITABLE STRUCTURE IS NEARBY:

• Lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head.

Flash Flood Safety

Photo courtesy of NOAA (photographer unknown)

Flash floods and floods are the #1 weather - related killer with around 140 deaths recorded in the U.S. each year. In the picture above, the man and his child were swept away in their truck by water flowing over a roadway, before being rescued at the last minute.

Flash flood safety rules:

• WHEN INSIDE:

• If ordered to evacuate or if rising water is threatening, leave immediately and get to higher ground!

• IF CAUGHT OUTDOORS:

• Go to higher ground immediately! Avoid small rivers or streams, low spots, canyons, dry riverbeds, etc.
• Do not try to walk through flowing water more than ankle deep!
• Do not allow children to play around streams, drainage ditches or viaducts, storm drains, or other flooded areas!

• IF IN A VEHICLE:

• DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED AREAS! Even if it looks shallow enough to cross. The large majority of deaths due to flash flooding are due to people driving through flooded areas. Water only one foot deep can displace 1500 lbs! Two feet of water can EASILY carry most automobiles! Roadways concealed by floodwaters may not be intact, as the picture below shows the aftermath of a flood.
  

Photo courtesy of NOAA (photographer unknown)

Lightning Safety

Photo courtesy and (c) Charles Doswell

Photo courtesy of NOAA (photographer unknown)

Lightning causes around 100 deaths in the U.S. annually (more than hurricanes and tornadoes combined). In the picture above, the young woman and her friends were severely injured by lightning just a few seconds after this picture was taken. Notice that no rain was falling, clearly illustrating that lightning can strike up to several miles away from the thunderstorm.

General lightning safety rules:

• WHEN INSIDE:

• Avoid using the telephone (except for emergencies) or other electrical appliances.
• Do not take a bath or shower.

• IF CAUGHT OUTDOORS:

• Go to a safe shelter immediately! such as inside a sturdy building. A hard top automobile with the windows up can also offer fair protection.
• If you are boating or swimming, get out of the water immediately and move to a safe shelter away from the water!
• If you are in a wooded area, seek shelter under a thick growth of relatively small trees.
• If you feel your hair standing on end, squat as shown in the diagram below with your head between your knees.Do not lie flat!
  
• Avoid: isolated trees or other tall objects, bodies of water, sheds, fences, convertible automobiles, tractors, and motorcycles.