Tornado season arrives on time. Heed warnings and prepare for safety.
The birds twitter and flit from branch to branch with an urgent message. Thunder rumbles in the background and the sky outside is black and roiling. The local television station interrupts a program with a weather alert—a tornado watch and a warning for locally heavy storms and wind.
Here we are again in the tornado zone. One of nature’s most violent storms, the tornado is also one of the most ignored storms in this area—that is, until a swirling funnel cloud is spotted on the horizon.
But, considering last week’s storms that spawned at least 241 tornadoes and killed 44 people in 14 states, and last year’s New Years Eve tornadoes that struck the St. Louis region, causing great property damage and killing six Missourians in other regions, it’s time to pay attention.
It takes only one time to realize how devastating storms like these are. Homeowners can take precautions to protect families and property. Here are some tips to help you through this tornado season.
- Devise a family emergency plan and explain to your children what is expected. Do a couple of practice drills, making them a fun game.
- Sock away some emergency supplies, including lots of water, canned food, medications, batteries, flashlights and a battery operated radio to hear weather updates.
- Listen for and take seriously the tornado warning sirens. If you are outside, take shelter in a nearby building. If you are driving a car and can see the storm, again, find a sturdy building. Alternatively, get out of your car and lie flat with your hands covering your head. Open space is better that under a tree.
- If you are inside and have a basement, go there to the innermost location away from windows.
- If you do not have a basement, go to the lowest floor and move to the center of your home as far away as possible from windows to avoid flying glass. Crouch low to the floor and if possible, take cover under blankets, and if your house doesn’t have a solid floor you could contract some home renovators like the company that does flooring roseville ca to help with your tornado housing problems.
- Missouri, one of the top 10 tornado prone states, even experiences tornadoes during months not considered for that type of storm. Last New Years Eve tornadoes struck in the St. Louis region, causing great property damage and killing six Missourians in other regions.
As you prepare for this season’s tornado possibilities, this is also a good time to include checking out your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure you are adequately covered.