Tornado Safety

Today in Virginia was the 2008 Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill. The National Weather Center issued a Special Weather Statement saying the following:

"If you were unable to participate this morning... please find a time this week to practice your tornado safety plan. When a tornado warning is issued, or when a tornado is bearing down upon you, it may be too late to develop, practice and implement such a plan!"

Here are a few Tornado Safety Tips:

1. Have a tornado safety plan and practice that plan so you are prepared if a tornado is headed in your direction. Just a few pointers, you want to avoid windows, be under sturdy protection or cover yourself with a mattress/blanket if you do not have anything sturdy.

2. If you do not have a basement, you want to be on the lowest floor, in a small center room. As mentioned above, STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. If you have no small rooms, go in an interior hallway or you can even climb in the bathtub. Once again, pull a mattress over you to protect yourself from falling debris.

3. If you are in a mobile home or know there is no where safe in your house/apartment, find out where the nearest tornado shelter is to you and get out!

4. For students, pay attention to the tornado drills you go over at school. They have selected the safest location for you to ride out the storm. You do want to avoid portable classrooms and large, open areas, such as the gym or auditorium.

5. Do not stay in your car during a tornado or go under overpasses/bridge. I heard on a news channel once, a reporter saying the safest place is an overpass. THAT IS NOT CORRECT. If the tornado is too close and you can not get out of the path, get out of your vehicle and go inside a nearby building for shelter. If there is nothing, find low ground, away from cars and lie flat, face-down and protect your head with your arms.

6. Most importantly, know the signs of a tornado and pay attention to the news/radio. If there is a tornado warning/watch issued, it is only for your safety, so PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE IT!