Should a tornado approach,
follow these safety suggestions:
-
“Go low and stay low,” which means to go to the lowest level of a
structure away from windows and crouch in a low position with your head
covered.
-
Mobile homes and cars are extremely unsafe during a tornado. Take cover
inside a nearby sturdy building. If that’s not possible, lie down in a
ditch away from your mobile home or car and cover your head with your
hands.
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Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A
watch means current weather conditions may result in a tornado. A
tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted. When a tornado
warning is issued for your area, take cover immediately.
-
Be aware that the majority of tornadoes occur between 3 and 9 p.m.
Think of where you would normally be during that time – at school, at
work or in the car. You may only have a few seconds to react. Decide
now where you would go if a tornado warning is issued.
-
Have a weather radio nearby so you can listen for tornado watches and
warnings. Tornadoes can also occur with little or no advance warning.
If the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for your area,
your weather radio will sound an alert, indicating you need to move to
a safe area immediately.
-
Remember that tornadoes can occur any time of the year and often strike
with little or no advance warning.
- Sign up for the Community Emergency Alert Network for important emergency alerts, notifications and updates for county residents during severe weather, a major crisis or emergency. Residents may register for any or all of the additional CEAN alert categories, including severe weather 24/7 or severe weather 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, both of which would include alerts for tornado watches and warnings.
More Information
- Tornado Preparedness (American Red Cross)
- Tornado Preparedness (FEMA)
- Tornado Preparedness in Virginia (Virginia Emergency Management)