Tornado Preparedness
Tornadoes are powerful, quick and can appear with very little warning, making them highly destructive. Tornadoes are responsible for an average of 71 fatalities in the U.S. each year (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Your organization should develop a Safety & Security team who can monitor weather reports, handle communication during inclement weather, designate safe locations in the building and prepare emergency supply kits.
Safe Shelter
The most important preparation you can do before a severe storm is designate safe locations in the building. Safe options include:
- Basements
- Rooms constructed of reinforced concrete, brick or block
- Rooms without windows
- Rooms with a heavy, concrete floor or roof system overhead
- Small interior rooms such as locker rooms and lavatories
- Hallways positioned away from doors and windows
- Hallways closed to the direction of the tornado
- Any protected area away from doors and windows
You may not have a room that fits all of the ideal criteria; you will want to identify the best options. Primarily, you should avoid:
- Gymnasiums and auditoriums
- Rooms with large windows and doors
- Hallways exposed to the direction of the tornado
- Rooms with chimneys
- Any area beneath large, heavy, roof-mounted equipment
For additional information regarding identifying an appropriate shelter location, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency resources.
When your Safety & Security team has determined safe locations in the building, they will need to communicate the plans for emergency to staff and volunteers. You may consider placing signs around the building designating the safe locations in the event of a storm.
Disaster Supply Kit
Another way your organization can prepare for severe weather is by compiling Disaster Supply kits. These may be used in case of severe weather or another emergency. Make sure these items are located in the designated safety shelter in the building:
- Blankets
- NOAA Weather/All-Hazards Radio
- Portable, battery-powered radio or television
- First-aid kit and manual
- Food and water
- Mobile phones
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Emergency contact numbers
If you are able to do so, you may compile multiple supply kits in the event that a disaster strikes your community and the kits are needed elsewhere.
Take the time now to review and prepare your current safety procedures, shelter and supplies before you need them.
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