Spring is in the air...

Spring is in the air, and that can only mean one thing... Tornado season is coming! Tornado season in the northern mid-west runs from April to June and Illinois has been the target of some of the worst tornados in history. Do you know how to stay safe if a Twister is coming your way?

Take our true or false quiz and find out!

1) Most tornadoes last about an hour.

2) Tornadoes are signaled by complete silence.

3) Tornadoes can occur during thunderstorms.

4) You should have a tornado plan and practice tornado drills at home.

5) The southwest corner of the basement is the safest place during a tornado.

6) If the power goes out during a tornado, you should inspect your home for damage using candles or flashlights.

7) If you are in your car when a tornado strikes, you should drive as fast as you can in the other direction.


So, how did you do? Let's find out!

1) The length of a tornado depends on it's strength. Most weak tornadoes don't last more than 10 minutes, but a violent tornado can last more than an hour with winds greater than 205 mph.

2) Tornadoes are often signaled by a loud roar, like the sound of a frieght train coming your way. Other signals include dark, often greenish sky, a wall-like cloud or large hail.

3) Tornadoes occur as part of servere weather conditions, like thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes.

4) Being prepared for a disaster can help save lives. Practicing a tornado drill in your home, at work, and anywhere else you spend time is crutial to being ready if a tornado comes your way.

5) In a tornado, staying in any low, window-free place is your best option. If you have a basement, stay in the most structurally sound part of that basement- the southwest corner is no better or worse than any other.

6) Using candles after a tornado is a bad idea. There may be a gas leak that could be ignited by the use of a candle or open flame. Three times as many people have perished useing candles after a disaster than from the disaster itself.

7) If a tornado warning is issued, you should get out of the car and find shelter on the lowest floor of the nearest building. If you can't find shelter, take cover in a ditch- lay flat, protecting your head and face.


For more information about Tornado and other Disaster Safety, contact the American Red Cross (312-729-6159) and enroll in a Community Disaster Education class!