Long before you see the black clouds on the horizon, your family should designate a place in your home to go if a tornado approaches. A place away from windows is best. In case you don't have time to make it to the basement, an interior hallway is a wise place to go.

When a tornado watch is issued, the American Red Cross advises people to listen to local television and radio stations for updates on the weather. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. The Red Cross stresses the importance of keeping aware of the changing weather situation; the more time you have to move to safety, the more likely you and your family are to survive unharmed.

A tornado warning presents an immediate threat. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is spotted visually or on weather radar. In case of a tornado warning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises people to: 

• Go at once to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building
• If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet
• Get away from the windows
• Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck
• If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

FEMA stresses the last point, especially. It is very easy for a mobile home to be overturned in high winds. FEMA suggests arranging for a safe place to go well ahead of time, such as with a friend, family member, or a neighbor.

Myths Debunked
There are many myths about what to do during a tornado. The American Red Cross is hoping to put to rest these fallacies.

One popular belief is that opening a building's windows allows the air pressure to equalize as a tornado passes overhead. Air pressure can equalize itself through normal openings within a building and opening windows doesn't particularly help, especially given the likelihood of glass breaking due to flying debris. The American Red Cross stresses that it is much more important to get to safety than to open windows.

Another persistent myth says that the southwest corner of a building is the safest. Studies have shown that the safest place in a building is away from all of the windows regardless of what corner of the building you're in.

If you're caught outdoors during a tornado, don't try to outrun it in your car. A tornado can change directions quickly. You should seek shelter indoors. If that isn't possible, get out of your car and duck down in the lowest spot you can find, such as a ditch or gully. Because a tornado doesn't suck objects up, but rather blows them around at speeds which can easily exceed 300mph, a highway underpass is not safe since it leaves you exposed to flying debris.  During these devastating storms even the smallest of item caught in its furry such as small roof shingle parts, glass fragments, wood splinters and the like are bullets in the wind causing serious or even fatal injuries.  Staying low to avoid this debris is the key to survival if caught outdoors.

Here Comes The Sun
Keep your radio tuned to a local station, too. It may be possible that the tornado that has passed overhead is one of many tornadoes in your area.

After the storm has blown over, carefully inspect your home for damage. The sooner you start the claims process for any damage that did occur, the quicker you can get started on repairs.

When inspecting your home, be sure to avoid downed power lines. FEMA warns that just because a power line is down doesn't mean it can't give you a serious shock.

The American Red Cross mentions that flashlights, not candles, should be used for inspecting your home because of the possibility of gas leaks.

Disaster Planning Made Simple

Of course to be deeply affected by a disaster you don't have to be directly hit by it.  Lengthy interruptions in basic services can catch you off guard.  Downed power lines, broken water and gas mains can threaten your safety even when your home was untouched and survived an ordeal.   For many people, a little preparation could make a big difference in coping with the aftermath of a severe earthquake or storm. Disaster-planning experts say people should be prepared to go without power and most other basic services for up to 72 hours. That means no electricity, water, fire fighters or police.

With a few simple additions, the average household already has many of the resources needed to deal with a disaster. Here are a few suggestions and hints on how best to use what's already on hand.

• Water. The water heater (30-40 gallons) should contain enough water to last a four-person household four days. (Turn off power before draining and be careful of sediments that can accumulate at the bottom of the tank.) Ice cubes in the freezer and liquid from canned food can be used. If you'd rather not store extra bottles of water, consider keeping purification tablets on hand. Household chlorine bleach will disinfect water, too. Use one-eighth of a teaspoon per gallon of water and let stand for 30 minutes before drinking. Do not use bleach with added soaps or fragrances.
• Food. Most houses have ample food for several days. Use food in the refrigerator first, then the freezer. Frozen food will keep up to three days in an unopened freezer. Keeping a few extra canned goods in the back of the cupboard is always smart.
• First Aid. Most homes have the necessary items to handle routine accidents. A basic first-aid kit and a book on first aid should be kept in a central location. It's a good idea to take a first-aid and CPR course from the Red Cross.
• Fire Extinguishers. Have one or more fire extinguishers and learn how to use them. Have the extinguisher serviced according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Other essentials. Identify your home's utility shut-off valves and learn how to turn them off. Have at least one flashlight and a battery-powered radio. Make an evacuation plan so all family members know several escape routes and where to meet outside.

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Please Note: The information contained in this Web site is provided solely as a source of general  information and resource.  It is a not a statement of contract and coverage may not apply in all areas or circumstances.  For a complete description of coverages, always read the insurance policy, including all endorsements.