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!
Showing posts with label tornadoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tornadoes. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Mena Tornadoes
Hello Readers -
We just wanted to give you a little information about how far the efforts of the American Red Cross Disaster Servies team stretches.
Two weeks ago, Sam had the opportunity to particiapte in the tornado recovery efforts in Mena, Arkansas. He would like to spend some time to discuss his experience:
When I arrived in the small town near the Oklahoma border I didn't know what to expect. It was my first national deployment, so all the information I had acquired was from stories told by my co-workers and volunteers. I was so excited to be able to have a deployment experience of my own and to make a difference in a new community.
It didn't take long for me to get into the action. The same day I flew into Little Rock and made the drive to Mena I was entering disaster data into the computers at our headquarters. Volunteers from around Arkansas had already met with clients before I had arrived and someone was needed to enter all the data. It wasn't the most thrilling work, but due to my training in Chicago I knew its importance.
The most rewarding part of my 6 day deployment was the opportunity to participate in the outreach efforts. This entailed driving through the community and speaking with people about how the Red Cross would be able to assist them. We also explained where we could be found and how long we would be there. Outreach allowed me to really feel like I was connecting and helping people on a personal level.
It was amazing to see, amidst all the destruction from the tornadoes, the incredibly supportive attitue of the entire Mena community. I wish everyone the best of luck and I was happy to do my part in helping with your recovery.
We encourage you to get involved with your local Red Cross chapter so you too can learn how to help in a national disaster.
- Lily and Sam
We just wanted to give you a little information about how far the efforts of the American Red Cross Disaster Servies team stretches.
Two weeks ago, Sam had the opportunity to particiapte in the tornado recovery efforts in Mena, Arkansas. He would like to spend some time to discuss his experience:
When I arrived in the small town near the Oklahoma border I didn't know what to expect. It was my first national deployment, so all the information I had acquired was from stories told by my co-workers and volunteers. I was so excited to be able to have a deployment experience of my own and to make a difference in a new community.
It didn't take long for me to get into the action. The same day I flew into Little Rock and made the drive to Mena I was entering disaster data into the computers at our headquarters. Volunteers from around Arkansas had already met with clients before I had arrived and someone was needed to enter all the data. It wasn't the most thrilling work, but due to my training in Chicago I knew its importance.
The most rewarding part of my 6 day deployment was the opportunity to participate in the outreach efforts. This entailed driving through the community and speaking with people about how the Red Cross would be able to assist them. We also explained where we could be found and how long we would be there. Outreach allowed me to really feel like I was connecting and helping people on a personal level.
It was amazing to see, amidst all the destruction from the tornadoes, the incredibly supportive attitue of the entire Mena community. I wish everyone the best of luck and I was happy to do my part in helping with your recovery.
We encourage you to get involved with your local Red Cross chapter so you too can learn how to help in a national disaster.
- Lily and Sam
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