What to do during a tornado?

Question

You are sitting in class, hear a faint siren going off. A teacher quickly comes in and yells, "there's a tornado south and moving this way." It will be here in a matter of minutes. Please describe what you would do next.

Answer 1

Are you a teacher? Just wondering



At my school we have had several tornadoes. I live in NC so any tornadoes I get are generally weak and insignigant.



Usually the someone will come on the intercom and announce"A tornado warning has been issued for Guilford County. All teachers please follow their tornado procedures"



We then move out of the classroom and into and interior hallway of the school. We shut the door on the classroom and get on our knees and cover our heads with out hands.



You have to do this for 30 even 40 minutes sometimes or until the warninghas been lifted.



Of course I don't have to worry because tornadoes are never strong here but if you live in the plain states you may have to worry about strong tornadoes.



Just make sure you keep you cool. It has a very small chance of hitting "your" school.

Answer 2

Tornado Watch or Warning



Tornado Watch

The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. A watch does not mean that a tornado has been sighted. However, you should remain aware of current or changing local weather conditions.



When a tornado watch is issued:



University Police send an e-mail tornado watch notice on the University-wide employee e-mail list.



University Police call selected administrative offices that are responsible for passing information on to others in their area.



Advise staff, students and visitors of the tornado watch.



Monitor weather conditions locally by observation or via a local radio station.





Tornado Warning

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been spotted and people in its path are in danger. There will be no e-mail or phone notice of a tornado warning from University Police. Tornado Warnings are announced by the

National Weather Service via radio and by local authorities via emergency service radios and Civil Defense warning sirens. These are the only notices of a warning you will receive.



When a tornado warning is issued:



The emergency warning sirens will sound.



Do not pull the fire alarm for tornado warnings.



Do not evacuate occupants of buildings.



Everyone should move from offices and classrooms to an interior hallway. If time permits, attempt to move to the lowest-possible level of the building.



Take cell phones, bottled water or soda with you, if available. Do not stop at vending machines to purchase these items while taking shelter.



Sit on the floor with your back to the interior wall.



Cover your head with your arms.



Stay as far away as possible from furniture, windows and exterior doors and exits.



Remain in the building unless told to evacuate by University Police or firemen.





I hope this helps.

Answer 3

You go to the safest part of the school with everyone else. That is either a hallway or basement like area. When I was in Junior High we would go into the hallways and inner rooms and sit with our backs to a wall and our heads covering our necks. So if you are a student you do what you teacher tells you to do. If you are a teacher you should know what to do.

Answer 4

Leave the room, and go to a windowless room or hallway on the lowest level. If that is not possible, go to the nearest bathroom and assume the tornado position (on the floor on your knees, bent forward with your arms covering your head). If possible, use jackets, pillows, etc to cover yourself.