Deadly Tornadoes Strike Mississippi

Tornadoes Strike Without Warning

Over the weekend, tornadoes with wind speeds in excess of 160 mph struck an area at least 50 miles long from Louisiana to central Mississippi, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than three dozen others. Hundreds of homes were damaged in the storm. Although tornadoes are more common in the Midwestern states, the fact is that they have been reported in each of the fifty states and countries throughout the world. This is a sad reminder of the need to stay up to date on tornado safety. Here are some tips from Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses (Wiley, second edition 2008):

Tornadoes are known as “twisters” because tornado winds gust at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, destroying everything in their paths. Spring and summer are considered the tornado “season”, but they can happen at any time of the year. A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible in your area; a tornado warning means that a tornado has already been sighted. An approaching tornado sounds like a speeding train. Remain indoors, away from the windows, which could be shattered by the high-speed winds. If you are in a high-rise building, try to make it to the basement safely. We recommend that you avoid the elevators and take the stairs as fallen power lines could disrupt the supply of electricity to your building without warning. If you don’t have sufficient time to go to the basement or the ground floor, move to the center of the building, which is as far removed from windows on either side of the building as possible. If you are outside, go to the basement of the nearest sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or a low-lying area. If you are in a car or a mobile home, get out immediately.

Once the tornado has passed, check your premises for damage. Be careful when you leave your premises, as fallen power lines pose a particular hazard. Don’t light matches or use candles, as there may be gas leaks of which you are unaware. Listen to the news reports to determine if it is safe to go home and which areas you should avoid on your commute home.