American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety

Tornado Safety Tips: 

1. Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado.  (If you have a basement, make it your safe place.  If you do not have a basement, consider an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor.)  Make sure there are no windows or glass doors in the area.  Keep this place uncluttered.

2. If you live in a mobile home, choose another safe place in a nearby sturdy building.  (If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place.)

3. Put together a Disaster Supplies Kit in a clearly labeled, easy-to-grab container. Your kit should contain: a first aid kit and essential medications; canned food and a can opener; at least three gallons of water per person; protective clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags; battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries; and special items for infants, the elderly or disabled family members.

4. Write instructions on how to turn off your home's electricity, water, and gas if advised to do so by local authorities.  (A professional must turn gas service back on.)

5. Make sure all family members know the name of the county or parish where you live or are traveling, because tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued for county or parish.

6. Stay tuned for storm warnings by listening to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.  If a warning is issued, go to your safe place.  If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.  If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety (as above).

TORNADO FACTS                  

Q. What is a tornado? 

A. It is a column of violently rotating winds extending down from a thunderstorm cloud and touching the surface of the earth. 

Q. What is the difference between a  tornado and a funnel cloud? 

A. A funnel cloud is also a column of violently rotating winds extending down from a thunderstorm, however, it does not touch the earth.

Q. How many tornadoes usually occur in Michigan every year? 

A. An average of 18 tornadoes occur in Michigan each year. Since 1950, 239 persons have been killed due to tornadoes. During this same time, Michigan has experienced 772 tornadoes.

Q. When do tornadoes generally occur? 

A. Most tornadoes occur during the months of June, July and August in the late afternoon and evening hours. However, tornadoes can occur anytime of the day or night in almost any month during the year.

Q. How fast do tornadoes travel? 

A. Tornadoes generally travel from the southwest and at an average speed of 30 miles per hour. However, some tornadoes have very erratic paths, with speeds approaching 70 mph.

Q. How do I find out about a warning if my electricity is already out? 

A. In some areas, civil sirens will be your first official warning. However, you may also receive weather warnings directly from the National Weather Service broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio, as long as you have a model with a battery backup.

For more information, call (810) 232-1401 ext. 748 or ext. 250.