South Carolina Extension Publications

TORNADOES

Jack W. Davis, Extension Safety Specialist

1. Tornadoes are the most violent of all wind storms.
2. These storms can occur anytime, but usually between the months of

   March and September. In the Southeast, the season usually starts in March.

3. They usually occur during warm, humid, and unsettled weather. They

   come out of severe thunderstorms.

4. A tornado WATCH is:

   Alerting people that there is a chance of dangerous weather.

5. A tornado WARNING is:

   Tornado has been sighted and you need to take immediate action to protect yourself.

6. A waterspout is a tornado that forms over water. They are often

   associated with Hurricanes.

BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGER SIGNS

1. Severe thunder storms contain

     -thunder,
     -lightening
     -heavy rains
     -strong winds
     -hail

2. Roaring noise

     -like a train
     -a mack truck
     -a whirl wind
     -crashing thunderous sound
  3.  A funnel cloud
     -dark, spinning "rope"
     -column from the sky

WHERE TO GO IN CASE OF A TORNADO

Away From Home

     -In office bulidings go into an interior hallway on a lower floor
      or a designated shelter.

     -In factories go to area of plant offering greatest protection

     -In schools go into hallway or follow the advice of a teacher.

     -In shopping centers seek shelter inside a solidly built building or go    
      to local shelter.
     -If in open country, move away from the torando's path at right angles.
      (This is difficult to do in the Southeast.) If there is not enough time,  
      lie flat in a ditch, culvert, or get under a bridge.

At Home

-Go to the most protected and strongest part of your basement.

     -If you do not have a basement, go to the lowest level in the center of    
      the house.  Get in a small room (bathroom) or closet.
     
     -Then protect yourself by getting under heavy furniture.

     -Listen to radio for instructions.  A radio with a Weather Alert Alarm can 
      be purchased for less than $40.  NOAA Weather Radio stations are in
      Charleston, Florence, Columbia, Greer, Augusta, and Athens.

     -If you are in a moble home:  move to a shelter immediately.  DO NOT STAY  
      IN A MOBILE HOME.
      Be Aware of Dangers During a Tornado
          
     -flying objects
     -falling trees
     -breaking windows
     -collapsing bulidings
     -damaged power line
     
     -Stay in your position for 5 minutes after tornado passes.

     -For more information about tornadoes and other severe weather contact
      your closest National Weather Service office.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON TORNADOES WAS SUPPLIED BY DEANNA SPALDING A 4-HER FROM PICKENS COUNTY WORKING IN THE SAFETY PROJECT.

-END-

תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתThe National Dairy Database (1992)תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת\NDB\OCCSAFE\TEXT2\FILE1027תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת

%f TITLE;TORNADOES
%f COLLECTION;FARM AND OPERATOR SAFETY
%f ORIGIN;South Carolina
%f DATE_INCLUDED;June 1992