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Tornado Safe Rooms Save Lives!

What do Jarrell, TX, Oklahoma City and Wichita, KS have in common? Recent experience with F-5 Tornadoes. In each of these three communities some residents survived only because they had built a "safe room" in their homes.

"A safe room is an interior room without windows. It is built so that the walls and ceiling can protect you from flying objects and falling debris yet remain standing even if your home is severely damaged," explained PUT YOUR NAME HERE! .

"When constructed according to plans, safe rooms provide protection against winds up to 250 miles per hour (F-5 tornadoes) and flying debris traveling up to 100 miles per hour," Your name said.

Safe Room plans are the result of 25 years of field research by the Wind Engineering Research Center of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have published a 25-page illustrated publication featuring safe rooms building plans entitled Taking Shelter form the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House.

This free publication may be ordered by calling FEMA publication at 1-888-565-3896 and asking for FEMA Publication 320. It may also be downloaded from the FEMA website (

 

TORNADO SAFETY TIPS

TORNADO! The very word strikes fear in many people. Tornadoes are extremely dangerous. however by following Tornado Safety Rules, lives can be saved and injuries prevented.

Warning the public of severe weather is the National Weather Service's (NWS) most important job. To help the public prepare for tornado situations, the NWS has adopted a Watch and Warning program.

Tornado Watch: This means that conditions are favorable for tornado development. This is the time to prepare. Keep alert by listening to NOAA Weather Radio, or the commercial media for the latest weather information.

Tornado Warning: This means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. People in the path of the storm should take immediate life saving action.

In schools, hospitals, factories, shopping centers and other public places: Move to designated shelter areas. Interior hallways on the lowest level are best. Stay away from windows and out of auditoriums, gymnasiums, or structures with large free span roofs.

Tornado Myths

Myth: Areas near rivers, lakes and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
Fact: No place is safe from tornadoes. They can cross rivers, travel up mountains, and roar through valleys
Myth: Low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.
Fact: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.
Myth: Windows should be opened before a tornado to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
Fact: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone.

In Vehicles: Do not try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter in a substantial building. Abandon your vehicle if necessary and hide in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head

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                      With Basement:                                                               Without Basement

  1. Basement is the safest place.                                         1. Seek lowest level, central portion

  2. Avoid windows and chimneys.                                     2.   Small room, closet or hallway

  3. Hide under furniture or stairwell.                                 3.   Avoid exterior walls and windows

  4. Protect your head.                                                             4.   Protect your head.

 

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Multi-Family                                                                Mobile Homes

1.  Seek lowest level, central portion                                      1.   Evacuation is a must

2.  Small room, closet, or hallway                                           2.   Seek shelter in a permanent structure

3.  Avoid exterior walls and windows                                      3.   If necessary, go to a low spot, like a ditch or ravine

4. Protect your head                                                             4.   Protect your head

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