Holding Ground During a Tornado

Though more common east of the Rockies, tornados have been reported in every state. Tornados develop from severe thunderstorms in warm, moist, unstable air along and ahead of cold fronts. They are capable of causing extreme destruction, including uprooting trees and well-made structures, and turning normally harmless objects into deadly missiles. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. You have a very short period of time to make life-or-death decisions before a tornado strikes, advance planning and quick response are the keys to survival.

Plan Ahead

  • Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.
  • Designate an area as a shelter and conduct evacuation drills at least twice a year.
  • Know the difference between a tornado watch and a warning. A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or your local television stations for further developments. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
  • Evacuate personnel away from lightweight modular offices or mobile home structures. These structures offer no protection from tornados.

Keep Disaster Supplies Ready

  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
  • First aid kit and manual

Know the Tornado Danger Signs

  • An approaching cloud of debris, even if a funnel is not visible.
  • The wind may die down and the air may become very still.

During - Indoors

  • Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
  • Avoid wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias or large hallways
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk.
  • Use arms to protect head and neck.
  • Be aware of the potential for flooding.

During - Outdoors

  • If possible, go inside a safe building.
  • If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Use arms to protect head and neck.
  • Be aware of the potential for flooding.

During - In an Automobile

  • Never try to out-drive a tornado.
  • Get out of the vehicle immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
  • If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the vehicle and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.
  • Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Immediately After

  • Help injured or trapped persons.
  • Give first aid when appropriate.
  • Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
  • Call for help.
  • Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
  • Stay out of damaged buildings.
  • Use the telephones only for emergency calls.

Fujita - Pearson Tornado Scale

  • F-0: 40-72 mph, chimney damage, tree branches broken
  • F-1: 73-112 mph, mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned
  • F-2: 113-157 mph, considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees uprooted
  • F-3: 158-205 mph, roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown
  • F-4: 207-260 mph, well-constructed walls leveled
  • F-5: 261-318 mph, homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable distances, autos thrown as far as 100 meters

For additional information, please contact one of the following Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance representatives:

Jamie Trenter, VP - Western Region
Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance
6915 SW Macadam Ave, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97219-2381
503-977-1030

or

Steve Ottenbrite, District Manager
Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance
11344 Coloma Rd Ste 680
Gold River CA 95670
916-638-3747