CLEVELAND - Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends in Oklahoma, who are once again cleaning up from dangerous tornadoes. Just so you know, in late May, Oklahoma is THE bulls-eye for severe storms in the United States. Statistically, Oklahoma should be the focus for storms like this...unfortunately.
Many of the injuries and deaths came from motorists being stuck in their cars during rush hour. All the more reason why all of us should have a plan. We should all practice, at least in our heads, what we would do...where we would go in the event of tornadoes, damaging straight line winds or large hail.
Lets go over some Tornado Safety Tips:
In your Home: Go to the lowest floor of your home, away from windows. Put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. That usually means the north and east areas of your home are safest. Find a small, interior closet or bathroom and hunker down. If you have a basement, head to the northeast corner or under the staircase and protect yourself from flying debris.
In an Apartment/Highrise: Get away from windows. If you can't get down to the lowest floor or basement. find an interior closet or bathroom away from exterior walls. Crouch down and protect your head from debris.
In a school: Tornadoes tend to lift flat roofs off of buildings like schools and factories. The winds them drop the roofs down into the building like a pancake. Large rooms like gymnasiums and cafeterias are the most vulnerable. Interior hallways and bathrooms are the safest areas to wait out a tornado. Stay away from windows. The south and west walls are the most vulnerable to collapse during a tornado in schools and factories.
Factories/Shopping Centers: Like school buildings, large flat roofs tend to pancake down on top of anyone seeking shelter. Stay away from the large open areas and seek shelter in an office, restroom, or storage area. Remember: south and west walls are the most vulnerable to extreme winds.
Vehicles: If you have 30 or 40 minutes warning, it may be safe to travel in a perpendicular path away from the twister. However, if you find yourself on a highway in the middle of a tornado emergency, pull over. Get out of your vehicle and seek shelter in a sturdy building, shelter or ditch. Do NOT seek shelter under highway overpasses. Debris is funneled into those areas and can be deadly.
LIGHTNING/HIGH WINDS/LARGE HAIL SAFETY TIPS:
Severe thunderstorms often produce wind gusts above 60 mph and large hail 1-inch diameter or great. Wind gusts can down trees and power lines. Trees can topple onto cars or onto unsuspecting pedestrians out for a stroll. Lighting?is the 2nd leading weather killer in the US behind flooding.
Common sense is the rule here. Get?inside. Find a safe study shelter to wait out the storm. Stay off your land line phone and stay out of the shower. Lightning can reach you thru your pipes or phone wires! For Outdoor Field or Sporting Events, find the nearest study shelter. Stay away from trees and light posts. They are common conductors of lightning. Remember: if you are close enough to hear the thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Stay alert and weather aware, where ever you are!
The KEY is to be Weather Aware before severe weather strikes! Have a plan.?Know where to go and what to do?BEFORE severe weather strikes. Practice with your kids, family members or fellow employees. The time to worry about staying safe is NOT while severe weather is hitting you. And, last but not least, stay CONNECTED with us for the latest weather warnings and advisories. Connect with us via Facebook, Twitter and using our coveted StormShield smart phone app. Share?you comments below.
Copyright AP Modified, Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/severe-weather-will-you-be-ready-when-it-hits-you
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