Tornadoes

Related Information Hurricanes Thunderstorms & Lightning Tornadoes

Tornadoes Are Nature's Most Violent Storms

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, which extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with winds speeds of 250 mph or more.

Tornado Facts ...

• While May through July is the "peak tornado season" for Maryland, tornadoes can occur at any time of the year.
• Some tornadoes are clearly visible as a funnel shaped cloud, some may be obscured by rain or low-hanging clouds, and others may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up.
• Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water.
• Tornadoes can strike quickly with little or no warning and can uproot trees, destroy buildings, and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles.
• Most tornado-related deaths and injuries are caused from flying debris.
• Damage paths can be in excess of 1 mile wide and 50 miles long.
• Tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which a sever thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect.
• A tornadoes' environmental clues include a dark, often greenish sky, large hail, and a loud roar, similar to a freight train.

When A Tornado Threatens Your Area...

Quick response when a tornado approaches can save lives. DO NOT open your windows. Keeping the wind out of a building reduces the amount of damage that occurs. You must seek shelter before the storm arrives. Every building should have a pre-designated tornado shelter area.

If You're Inside A House, High Rise Apartment , Mobile Home or Other Building:

• The goal is to put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Remember to stay away from glass and large open spaces.
• The best place to seek shelter from a tornado is a basement.
• If your house has a basement, head to the basement. Once there, go to the center of the room and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Also stay away from corners because they attract debris. You should get under a sturdy piece of furniture or cover yourself with padding (such as thick blankets, sleeping bags or a mattress) and crouch face down as low as possible to the floor using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head. NOTE: It's important to know where heavy objects (like pianos and refrigerators) rest on the floor above so that you do not situate yourself below those objects.
• If your house or apartment building doesn't have a basement, you should grab a thick blanket or sleeping bag and go to a windowless interior room or interior hallway on the lowest floor possible or go under a stairwell on the lowest level possible. Then cover yourself and crouch face down as low as possible to the floor using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head.
• If you are in a mobile home, GET OUT!! Mobile homes, even if tied down offer little protection from tornadoes. Once you are out, quickly seek shelter on the lowest level of a sturdy permanent building or if there is no time to do so, lie flat and face down on low ground away from your home, automobile and trees, using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head.
• In a high-rise building, you should go to a windowless interior room or interior hallway on the lowest floor possible or go under an interior stairwell on the lowest level possible. Then crouch face down as low as possible to the floor using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head.
• In a school, church, hospital, theater, mall or large store without a basement, you should go to a windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible or go under an interior stairwell on the lowest level possible (stay away from large open rooms like gymnasiums and auditoriums). Then crouch face down as low as possible to the floor using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head.

If You're In A Car Or Truck

• You should never try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes are erratic and move quickly. Instead, you should stop, get out of the vehicle immediately and seek safe shelter on the lowest level of a sturdy building. If there is no time to do so, lie flat and face down on low ground as far from the road as possible and away from trees, using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head. Avoid seeking shelter under overpasses and bridges.

If You're In The Open Outdoors

• If you're caught outside with no shelter, seek safe shelter on the lowest level of a sturdy building, if possible. If there is no time to do so, lie face down in a ditch or low area away from trees and cars, using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head from flying objects-but be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge; you are safer in a low, flat location.

Understanding Weather Reports & Alerts...

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

During A "Tornado Watch" You Should:

• Listen to news broadcasts for the latest weather information and watch for tornado danger signs---A dark, often greenish sky, large hail or a loud roar similar to a freight train.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, supermarkets and shopping malls.
• Gather household members and pets along with your emergency preparedness kit and be prepared to take shelter immediately.

During A "Tornado Warning" You Should:

• If at home, move household members, pets and your emergency preparedness kit to the pre-designated tornado shelter area in your home. Stay informed about the tornado by listening to news broadcasts.
• If in a building other than your home, seek shelter in an appropriate area of the building.
• If in a mobile home or vehicle, get out immediately and seek safe shelter.
• If outside with no shelter, lie flat and face down in a ditch or low area away from vehicles and trees, using your arms to cover and protect your neck and the back of your head. Avoid seeking shelter under overpasses and bridges.

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