Tornado preparedness

A tornado operates as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends downward from a thunderstorm, to the ground, with swirling winds which have reached 300 miles per hour (480 km/h).The following is a summary of typical tornadoes:[2] The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has advised the following precautions before a storm reaches an area:[4] Upon seeing an approaching storm or noticing any of the danger signs, they were advised to prepare to take shelter immediately,[2] such as moving to a safe room, internal stairway, or other safe-haven area.Generally accepted tips to minimize risk of injury or death during and after a tornado include wearing sturdy shoes or boots, a helmet, long sleeves, gloves, and a heavy quilt or coat.Basic Items In addition, they advise to refill and properly store prescription medicines, get some extra cash for when credit cards do not work, fill automobiles with fuel, stock extension cords and power strips, and to consider making motel/hotel reservations (at a location that is more than 50 miles) for several nights starting after the time of the tornado strike.[9] In a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home They were advised to leave immediately and enter the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter.[9] The advice was to never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck, but instead, to leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.In addition to urban traffic, evacuation can also be hampered by flash flooding produced by associated thunderstorms, and the need to be certain about the position and direction of the tornado.Others who did not flee the Moore tornado were also killed because the buildings they were hiding in were completely destroyed, highlighting the need for storm shelters and safe rooms constructed specifically to withstand very high winds.Because mobile homes typically lack foundation anchors and present a large surface-area sail (to catch wind), the advice has been to seek a safe haven elsewhere, such as in a stronger nearby building.In a multi-story building, an internal stairway (away from broken windows) often acts as a safe haven, due to the stairs reinforcing the walls and blocking any major debris falling from above.In private homes, some similar stairway rooms have been used, or an interior room/closet kept clear to quickly allow entry when a storm is seen or heard approaching (the wind roar intensifies, sounding like a swift "freight train" coming nearer, louder).[2] With weeks or months to prepare, an interior safe room can be constructed, with space for emergency water, food and flashlights, and a telephone to call for rescue if the exit becomes blocked by falling debris.Some above-ground safe rooms have been built with steel-rebar rods in cement-filled cinder blocks, to withstand winds of 250 miles per hour (400 km/h).[15] The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent tens millions of dollars subsidizing the construction of shelters and safe rooms in both private and public buildings.