2. TORNADOES
Tornadoes are nature’s most violent
storms
Tornadoes can appear suddenly without
warning
Tornadoes may be invisible until dust and
debris are picked up
Tornadoes can occur ANYWHERE and
ANYTIME
3. KNOW THE SIGNS
Very dark clouds, often greenish sky
Whirling dust of debris on the ground
under a cloud base (sometimes no
visible funnel)
Hail and/or heavy rain
Loud, continuous roar or rumble,
which doesn’t fade in a few seconds
like thunder does
4. STAY INFORMED
If the weather looks bad, tune in to weather
reports via radio or TV
Weather websites:
www.noaa.gov
www.weather.com
Your local TV station’s website
In case the power goes out, a battery
operated radio is a good thing to have
Flex your technology muscle! Check out the
Tornado App from the Red Cross!
www.redcross.org
5. WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
TORNADO WATCH
A WATCH means that conditions are
good for a tornado or serious storm
TORNADO WARNING
A WARNING means that a tornado has
been spotted or indicated by weather
radar – take cover immediately
6. WHAT TO DO
Seek shelter
Move to an underground shelter or basement
Or move to an interior room on the lowest floor
(hallway, conference room, etc.)
Stay away from windows
If you are outside, get inside as fast as
possible
If you cannot find indoor shelter, try to lay lower
than road level (ditch, valley)
Do not stay in an automobile
7. BE PREPARED
Let coworkers, friends, family know if bad
weather is on the way
Know your program’s safe area(s)
If you were at a drill or at a safety meeting
and your coworkers weren’t, let them know
what happened
Assist consumers in getting to a safe area
within HCS buildings
Know what to do if you’re on a home visit
8. MORE INFORMATION
Check out the following websites for
additional information about tornadoes
and tornado safety:
www.noaa.gov / www.weather.gov
www.weather.com
www.vaemergency.gov
www.redcross.org
