Tornado & Hail Safety
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year. Although tornadoes are most common in the Central Plains and southeastern United States, they have been reported in all 50 states. This page is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a tornado. You will know what to do before, during, and after a tornado and this can increase your chances of survival.
TORNADOS
What is the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service?
TORNADO WATCH: Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
TORNADO WARNING: Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on RADAR or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
Before a Tornado
- During any thunderstorm listen to NOAA Weather Radio (Allentown WXL Frequency 162.400), Eastern PA Weather Authority or The Weather Channel to stay informed about possible tornado watches or warnings.
- Know how warnings are issued, some communities have sirens. At this current time Bushkill Township does NOT have a warning siren for tornados. Just emergency calls.
- Pick a tornado safe room such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest level of your house without windows. Closets and bathrooms are often a good choice. Consider having this safe room reinforced.
- Take CPR & First-Aid training if you need to help someone who has been injured.
- Have your power company phone number in your cell phone.
- Have a family plan that includes and emergency meeting place and related information.
During a Tornado
- Do NOT wait to see or hear the tornado. If a warning is issued take cover immediately!
- Take cover in the lowest level (preferably a basement) in your home or in a small interior room free of windows such as a closet or bathroom.
- Abandon mobile homes! These can blow over in severe thunderstorm winds at 60mph.
- If you're in a car, try to drive to the nearest sturdy structure to seek safety. If debris is blowing past you, make you have your seatbelt secured pull over, park and hold your head below the windows covering it with your hands or even a blanket if possible.
- If you are caught outside, get lower then any roadway, preferably a ditch, lie flat and cover your head with your hands.
- Never park under a highway overpass as this will increase the winds under the bridge.
After a Tornado
- Continue to listen to the sources listed above in the "Before a Tornado" section.
- If you are away from your home, return when local authorities say it is safe to do so. Listen to news and media.
- Tornado debris may have sharp and dangerous items. Be careful walking and if at all possible wear pants and sturdy shoes.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Watch for power lines or broken gas lines and report these to the proper authorities or utility companies.
- Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings at night.
- Check for injuries, if you are trained provide first-aid until first responders arrive.
- Use the telephone for emergency calls only so the lines are not tied up.
- If you smell gas or hear a hissing/blowing sound, evacuate the building and call the proper authorities.
- Carbon Monoxide is a leading cause of death in the USA after power outages, NEVER use a generator inside your home or garage or within 5 feet of your home.
TORNADOS
What is the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service?
TORNADO WATCH: Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
TORNADO WARNING: Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on RADAR or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
Before a Tornado
- During any thunderstorm listen to NOAA Weather Radio (Allentown WXL Frequency 162.400), Eastern PA Weather Authority or The Weather Channel to stay informed about possible tornado watches or warnings.
- Know how warnings are issued, some communities have sirens. At this current time Bushkill Township does NOT have a warning siren for tornados. Just emergency calls.
- Pick a tornado safe room such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest level of your house without windows. Closets and bathrooms are often a good choice. Consider having this safe room reinforced.
- Take CPR & First-Aid training if you need to help someone who has been injured.
- Have your power company phone number in your cell phone.
- Have a family plan that includes and emergency meeting place and related information.
During a Tornado
- Do NOT wait to see or hear the tornado. If a warning is issued take cover immediately!
- Take cover in the lowest level (preferably a basement) in your home or in a small interior room free of windows such as a closet or bathroom.
- Abandon mobile homes! These can blow over in severe thunderstorm winds at 60mph.
- If you're in a car, try to drive to the nearest sturdy structure to seek safety. If debris is blowing past you, make you have your seatbelt secured pull over, park and hold your head below the windows covering it with your hands or even a blanket if possible.
- If you are caught outside, get lower then any roadway, preferably a ditch, lie flat and cover your head with your hands.
- Never park under a highway overpass as this will increase the winds under the bridge.
After a Tornado
- Continue to listen to the sources listed above in the "Before a Tornado" section.
- If you are away from your home, return when local authorities say it is safe to do so. Listen to news and media.
- Tornado debris may have sharp and dangerous items. Be careful walking and if at all possible wear pants and sturdy shoes.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Watch for power lines or broken gas lines and report these to the proper authorities or utility companies.
- Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings at night.
- Check for injuries, if you are trained provide first-aid until first responders arrive.
- Use the telephone for emergency calls only so the lines are not tied up.
- If you smell gas or hear a hissing/blowing sound, evacuate the building and call the proper authorities.
- Carbon Monoxide is a leading cause of death in the USA after power outages, NEVER use a generator inside your home or garage or within 5 feet of your home.
HAIL
- If you are in a car, stop driving and pull off to the shoulder. If you can see a garage or canopy close by, you can pull under that. NEVER park under bridges or overpasses. This causes traffic jams and possible accidents.
- Do not leave your car until after it is done hailing.
- Keep away from car windows and cover your eyes. If you have children put them below you and cover their eyes. It is best to lay face down on the floor or seat.
- If you are in a building, stay away from skylights & windows and stay inside until the hail stops.
- Large hail can cause serious injuries or death! Stay inside with all occupants and pets until the hail stops.
- If you are caught outdoors without any shelter, protect your head with something. Stay out of culverts, these can fill with water quickly. Stay away from trees as they can lose branches and be struck by lightning.
- After the hail, cover any windows carefully to prevent rain water from entering your home.
- If you are in a car, stop driving and pull off to the shoulder. If you can see a garage or canopy close by, you can pull under that. NEVER park under bridges or overpasses. This causes traffic jams and possible accidents.
- Do not leave your car until after it is done hailing.
- Keep away from car windows and cover your eyes. If you have children put them below you and cover their eyes. It is best to lay face down on the floor or seat.
- If you are in a building, stay away from skylights & windows and stay inside until the hail stops.
- Large hail can cause serious injuries or death! Stay inside with all occupants and pets until the hail stops.
- If you are caught outdoors without any shelter, protect your head with something. Stay out of culverts, these can fill with water quickly. Stay away from trees as they can lose branches and be struck by lightning.
- After the hail, cover any windows carefully to prevent rain water from entering your home.
