Tornadic Storm Safety

Before moving northeast, my family and I lived in a tornado-prone area. My former town had tornado sirens, drills, and shelter areas. After moving, I enjoyed reading tornado documentaries, stories, and the genesis behind a tornadic storm-- another bonus for loving Earth Science. I picked up more survival tips than I knew as a kid.

The days are slowly warming up, meaning more thunderstorms will form in the future. Of course, a few pockets of warming cause storms in the middle of winter. With t-storms forming, so can hail, cloud-to-ground lightning, heavy rain, strong winds, and tornadoes. It's best to be prepared for severe weather.

Storm Production

Tornadoes are possible in all types of thunderstorms, but they mostly come from supercell storms. They can also form from hurricanes and tropical storms. There are the ingredients for creating tornado storms:

1. Cold downdraft.

2. Warm updraft.

3. Wind shear.

4. Warm, moist + cold, dry air.

These factors increase atmospheric instability, which storms use to manifest. The CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) Index measures the chances of developing storms. The higher it is, the more likely storms will form and severity.

You can check CAPE Index on the "GPS Surface Cape" on Instant Weather Maps (can't link it). There are other weather sites or apps that check for CAPE, such as Windy (accessible on both site and app), where you can get a more precise CAPE Index, along with other weather tools.

Another way to check the possibility of stormy weather is to go on Severe Storm Risk in Weatherbug. You tap on the Layer icon in the bottom right (the first one-- it looks like a stack of books), scroll down until you see Severe Storm Risk, and tap on it. It ranges from Thunderstorm to High Risk. The higher the risk, the more likely tornadoes will spawn.

Tornado Watch

Areas favorable for a tornado will be placed under a tornado watch. During this time:

- Watch the sky, radar, or both for approaching storms and warnings.

- Prep yourself. Just mentally plan (or physically) where you should pick your shelter, such as a basement. Find a safe area to hide under; likewise, under a table or desk. You can also tip the couch forward to go in if you are in a tornado warning. A blanket or a mattress will add more protection in this scenario. I recommend a flashlight, radio, and medical supplies.

- If you don’t have a basement, I recommend picking the lowest floor, the innermost part, away from doors and windows, mostly bathrooms (bathtub recommended) or closets. You should pick a blanket, mattress, helmet, or pillow to cover yourself.

- If you don’t feel safe in your home because you have no basement, plenty of windows, are in a mobile home, etc., contact your neighbor or friend who has one. I suggest getting permission early rather than during the storm, so you can hop on over before the weather becomes dire.

Some things to consider:

- If you are going to a neighbor or friend, make sure they live nearby (minutes away). Usually, you have between when the warning comes out, giving you some time to prepare.

- Don't pick your safety near heavy appliances-- fridges, ovens, laundry machines, etc because if the tornado strikes your home, it can crash right onto you. Plus, don't pick your shelter to be near windows or glass.

- If you are concerned about the weather for the day, stay home or leave work/school early. Schools in tornado-prone locations usually cancel or early release for storms. They also temporarily halt classes when a tornado warning is issued during school to get the kids to safety.

- Rainstorms can increase in severity from just rain to a supercell storm. At first, you might shrug and say, ‘Just rain’ to, ‘Why is there a tornado alert on my phone?’

- Storms can blow up fast. Once the cap is lifted (the cap prevents storms from initiating), it may quickly go from sunny to dark and stormy.

- Night doesn’t save you from tornados. Leftover heat, instability, and moisture can keep storms strong at night. Most storms do occur in the afternoon, evening, or at night. Most severe storms I’ve encountered, including tornadic storms, happened during that period.

- Even if your home is just under a severe thunderstorm warning, there is a chance it can produce a tornado (NWS can mention the possibility also in the warning). I’ve seen rotating funnels, clouds, and tornadoes touching down whenever a storm was severe T-storm warned. If you see a tornado, take cover quickly.

- If you look at the radar and see a severe t-storm warned or tornado warned storm aligned to your location but not yet there (like thirty minutes to two hours away), I recommend you keep checking on the radar and prepare (it's better to be safe). I do this, too, especially when I'm outside. Please remember that storms can strengthen, die, or weaken before reaching your location.

Tornado Warning:

I still get trauma when I ever hear the EAS alarm for a tornado warning on the TV or screen. The last time I was under a tornado warning was in the northeast, weeks after moving from Michigan. My brother and I screamed when we saw the warning on TV. We did have a basement. I was scared beyond my mind that I was shaking and close to being sick. I still get terrifying tornado nightmares often.

How does a storm become tornado warned? Confirmed tornado, either by radar or by storm-spotters or chasers, or radar indicates rotation.

Signs of a Tornado Heading Towards Your Location:

- Swirling funnel that doesn't seem to be moving left or right and seems to get bigger in your point of view.

- A rumble that gets louder and louder.

-Debris flying or swirling in the air.

-Greenish sky.

- An increase in wind velocity and changes in direction. The wind goes to where the tornado is at. For example, if the tornado is on the right, the wind will go to the right and increase speed. After it passes, the wind will move to the left.

- Rain that changes directions. It is also likely to stop raining when a tornado is nearby. My mom told me that when a tornado touched down at night while my brother and I were asleep, it got still, yet there was a growling noise. There were also power flashes. Therefore, be cautious if the thunderstorm suddenly becomes quiet or intensifies.

What To Do (House):

In this scenario, you saw the tornado warning alert on your screen. You have under fifteen minutes to prepare.

- Get in your basement or designated shelter area. Bring your family and pets down there as well.

- Stay clear of heavy objects!

- Head to your friend’s and neighbor’s house (the one who gave you permission). Take shelter there.

- Cover yourself with the things you prepped for when taking shelter in your home. Protect your head.

- Wait until you get a clear from the National Weather Service (NWS). This means the tornado warning has been lifted.

Keep in mind:

- Rain ending doesn't mean it stopped. Some tornadoes and supercells can be right at the end of the storm.

- There is a chance that the tornado can happen with no warning. The possible explanation is that it formed too fast or/and didn't live long enough to get the warning out.

- Remain calm as possible, even when you are about to get hit. I understand– it’s a life-or-death situation. If kids are around you, panicking will also make them more scared.

- Don’t get out after the tornado has passed; there could be another one. This is why you wait until the warning has been lifted.

- Don’t take shelter once you hear sirens– that decreases your time. You may not hear them if the tornado has knocked the sirens down or the town doesn’t have one.

- I don’t advise driving. If you need to head to another house or a storm shelter, I recommend driving as soon as you are notified. Sometimes these warnings can be alerted before the storm hits. If you do it once the sirens or the storm begins, the roads can get crowded from people panicking, temporary storm chasers, and large debris blocking the streets. This can put you in the path of a tornado. One stormy night as a kid, tornadic sirens went off multiple times. My mom kept driving us back and forth to the church, which has a basement. I was silently freaking out, only watching the dark clouds accumulating. My dad stayed at the house with our new cat, apparently being chill. My mother was also driving hastily to the church as well. This could’ve been dangerous because she might’ve put us in the tornado’s path or hit someone. She was more composed when the tornado warning was issued in our new home.

What to Do (Vehicle):

Sometimes, you are not at home during a tornado warning, or you decide to grab your phone and become a storm chaser. It's best not to be driving during a tornado, yet there are people out there who follow the tornado like a paparazzi. Strong tornadoes can pick them up and throw them. I will only be mentioning survival tips rather than storm-chasing tips.

- Try to get home or go to a shelter if you still have time before the storm hits. Keep an eye on the sky in case you see an actual tornado.

- Remember where you are at all times—recall the roads you came in, observe the roads ahead, and know where the tornado is. If there is no tornado, keep alert. If a tornado is present, pull over.

- If you see a tornado, track where it’s going. You're not on the path if there is a right or left motion or getting farther in view. If you see no direction, it’s possibly heading towards you. Even if the tornado seems to have stalled, don’t have a staring contest with it. Get out, get in the ditch, and cover your head with your hands. Ditches lower the risk of debris getting picked up or thrown at you.

- Overpasses and storm drains are a no-go. Overpasses can elevate winds. Storm drains (culverts near the road) can be flooded by the storm's rain.

- Don’t outrun a tornado. Tornadoes can change shape, speed, path, and strength. They can also have multiple vortices and be rainwrapped. You can stop, get out, lie in a ditch, and cover your head with your hands.

- Be very careful if trees are around; they block the view of the oncoming tornado. If you see an increase in winds, branches and leaves, or you have difficulty seeing in a tornado-warned storm, get out and get into the ditch.

- Don't drive if you are unable to see from the winds, rain, or hail. This applies to any type of storm.

- If inside the tornado, cover your head and duck. If you have a helmet, coat, or blanket, use it to cover yourself. Keep your seatbelt on.

Aftermath

The storm has passed. The aftermath can be mentally and physically present for years after the storm has been long gone.

- Get out and assess the damage.

- If you have minor injuries, treat them with your medicine kit if you have one. Remember, the hospital might be packed with other injured survivors, so the 911 number might be busy.

- Powerlines might be down, and the ground might have pools of rainwater, so stay away from wires inside puddles.

- If you are okay, check on the people in the houses beside you that are damaged—they might need help. Be wary of heavy objects, any leakage, and loose wires.

- Contact your insurance and landlord (for rental houses) about the damage. Depending on your contract, some insurances do cover tornado damages.

- If your house is destroyed, severely damaged, or leaking, you'll possibly be sent to a shelter, hotel, or temporary housing. Rebuilding your home may take time.

- You can still live in your house if it wasn’t affected or sustained little damage. Electricity or water may be cut, so it might be rough

- Sometimes, severe storms follow each other back to back, making it hard to move, seek shelter again, and muster fear. They can also repeat in the following days.

Tornado Emergency

This is rarely issued. It means a strong and dangerous tornado is on the ground, resulting in massive damage and casualties. When this happens, take immediate shelter. Don’t mess around. Going into a basement is more urgent in these alerts.

Derecho

Derechos are not tornadoes but a line of storms packed with high winds. They can even spawn tornadoes. They expand hundreds of miles across many states, so a widespread area deals with hurricane-force winds. It’s best to get or remain inside. If you are driving, stop. It will be hard to see.

Conclusion

Tornadoes are scary and can put people in life-threatening situations, but you can increase your chances of survival if you prepare, seek shelter, and know what to do afterwards.

I have had many scary storm experiences. Let me know if you'd like to hear about them. Have a good day, and stay safe.