Formed as a result of a hurricane or as a companion to it electric storms, tornadoes They provide little preparation time due to their rapid formation and short duration.
“Unlike a hurricane or even a flood, there isn't much time to prepare," he told Enlace Latino NC Sarah Kirby, director of the North Carolina State Extension. “So, you just have to think ahead.”
Therefore, it is important that you take into account certain protective measures for yourself and your family in the event of this type of natural disaster.
The differences between tornado warning types
- Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for a tornado in and around the watch area. Be prepared! Watches can last up to eight hours. Stay tuned for further guidance from authorities.
- Tornado Warning: Radar has detected a tornado, and there is imminent danger to life and property. You're in the path, protect yourself now!
Identify the places of protection within your home
Go to the lowest level of your home, preferably to a room without windows. If you don't have a basement or crawl space, hallways away from windows, bathrooms, and central closets are good places to protect yourself inside the home.
Remember:
- Stay away from windows.
- Wear shoes when you take shelter.
- Make sure you have something to cover yourself with (pillows, sheets, etc.).
- Protect your head, neck, and upper body (Wear a bicycle helmet, if you have one).
If you live in a mobile home, go to the nearest community shelter or a sturdy building before the storm. Mobile homes are especially dangerous in high winds and can tip over. If you can't reach a shelter or to a sturdy building, lie down in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert and cover your head with your hands.
Related: What is the safest place in a house during a tornado?
Prepare an emergency plan and kit
As with the hurricane preparedness, always have an emergency kit on hand that includes:
- Water
- Nonperishable food
- A first aid kit
- Pillows and sheets to cover themselves from the debris
- Radio
Also, establish an emergency plan for you and your family. Figure out where you can take shelter in a matter of seconds and make sure everyone knows where to go.
Stay informed
During a tornado, listen to instructions from local authorities and weather services via radio or cell phone.
Stay in a safe place or shelter until authorities have given the all-clear and there are no alerts or warnings in effect.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has a preparation guide for tornadoes.
“There is no doubt that here in North Carolina we have extreme weather events“Every state in the U.S. has experienced tornadoes; we're not immune. I think we're experiencing them more frequently than before. They can develop very quickly. Given that we're concerned about hurricanes and often the tornadoes that come from them, these are things we always have to keep in mind.”
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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