Some call it “The Finger of God”. Tornado’s are the most powerful storms the Earth has to offer, responsible for $500 million in damages and several deaths each year. Although most frequent in an area known as Tornado Alley, they can occur anytime and anywhere. On average, more than 1000 tornadoes are reported in the United States each year.

As a result of the Earth’s unique weather system, Tornadoes will spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather systems that produce them may spawn tornadoes that range, on average, from 500 feet across to over 2 miles wide. Tornadoes are an unpredictable force with a range of colors, sizes, and strength. Knowing how to prepare and what to do when a tornado is spotted near you can save your life.

When and Where Tornadoes Occur:

Tornadoes can occur at any time of the day and are especially dangerous at night when many people are either asleep or unable to visibly see the danger through the darkness of night.

Tornadoes occur most frequently during the springtime in the central United States in an area commonly referred to as Tornado Alley. These are central plains states which have a repetitive annual tornado cycle. States in this L-shaped region have a consistent season each year, with most tornadoes occurring from April through mid-June and peaking in May.

Tornado Alley includes a portion of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, eastern Colorado and western Iowa.

While it may seem natural to think that tornado alley would be responsible for most of the tornado deaths in the country, there are studies that may suggest otherwise. One such study was conducted by National Severe Storms Laboratory Research Meteorologist Dr. Harold Brooks, who has studied the climatology of severe weather in the United States to better understand when and where tornadoes are most likely to occur.

His findings are remarkable in that they suggest tornados are most deadly in areas such as the southeastern portion of the United States where tornados are an unusually rare event.

"In these areas, people have not thought about what they are supposed to do to seek shelter from a tornado, and they typically don't make good decisions under pressure," Brooks said. "When their basic state of awareness is very low, they are less likely to respond to a warning."

Emergency officials and citizens of these infrequent tornado communities face a difficult challenge and must continue to educate themselves and each other on the dangers of tornadoes and how they can be prepared, should one strike.

Watch vs. Warning:

This is one of the most common things that people confuse, and understanding the difference can really be the difference between life and death.

• Tornado Watch: A tornado watch simply means that conditions are conducive to the development of a tornado. One has not yet been spotted, but as they are difficult to predict, you should already be on alert and ready to take shelter at a moment’s notice. This would be a good time to prepare any emergency kits with flashlights, candles, and medical equipment.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has actually been spotted by an observer or indicated on radar. This means a tornado is actually happening or imminent in the current warning area. You should take shelter immediately.

Before a Tornado:

Many people don’t stop to think about what to do when a tornado strikes until it is too late. In fact, tornadoes are fairly infrequent events outside of the infamous tornado alley. However, it is these individuals who are at the most risk, as they are less likely to be educated or prepared when they find themselves face-to-face with this seemingly rare event. There is something you can do that only takes a few minutes to put together, which will help ensure your survival.

• Create a Disaster Plan:

  Don’t have a disaster plan? Make one. Make sure everyone in your household is familiar with it and understands it. Everyone should know where to go when a tornado is threatening. Be sure to know what county or parish you live in as meteorologists will often refer to these areas as opposed to the city itself as it helps to narrow down the area that they want to warn.

• Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit:

  Make one to keep in your home and one for your car as well. After all, tornadoes can occur anywhere and you don’t want to be driving down the road when a tornado is threatening without having something to help you survive. Include in your kit, canned food, can opener, other non-perishables, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing, such as gloves, jacket, blankets, etc. For the home, make sure to include instructions describing how to turn off electricity, gas, and water.

The most important thing is knowing where to go. If nothing else, make sure you and your family know how, where, and when to seek shelter.

During a Tornado:

• If you’re in an office building, go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor, or to a designated area.
• In a home or other small building, move to the basement or place in the middle of the house, such as a closet, bathroom or interior hall, on the lowest floor of the building. You want a room without windows and if possible, get under something sturdy such as a desk.
• In a shopping center or other large building, go to a designated shelter area. Do not run for your car. Going outside at all under these circumstances is not a wise choice. If there is not a pre-designated shelter area, or you do not know what that area is, find a middle hallway on the lowest floor of the structure.
• In schools, be calm and follow the direction of your teacher or supervisor. Otherwise go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor and get into a low, tucked position, protecting your head with your hands. Stay away from auditoriums or gymnasiums with wide, or otherwise large roofs that could easily collapse.
• In mobile homes, leave them and find shelter immediately in a more stable building or structure. If there is no shelter nearby, then you are better off moving away from the tornado’s path. Lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine with your hands protecting your head.
• In a car or while driving, try to reach shelter immediately in the nearest building. Do not attempt to race a tornado. Their direction is very unpredictable and may change direction suddenly, or increase speed without warning. There is also the danger of flying debris nearby that can disable or damage vehicles. If no shelter exists, stop safely and lie face down in a ditch or other low-lying area, using your hands and arms to protect your head. Stay away from overpasses or tunnels as these are not safe shelter areas, contrary to popular belief. As the tornado passes, the winds become concentrated and create a powerful wind tunnel, which makes for a very dangerous set of conditions.

After a Tornado:

Stay indoors until you know it is safe to come out. You may want or need to check for injured or trapped people, but do so without putting yourself in danger. Be on the lookout for downed power lines and other dangerous debris that may have been tossed about during the storm. Enter buildings with caution, as tornados can severely damage the structural integrity of any given building. Even if on the surface everything seems to look normal, proceed with caution. Use your emergency kit if you have prepared one. You should have protective clothing, flashlights, and water to get you by until professional emergency responders arrive on the scene.