KNOW WHAT TO DO... BE PREPARED A is a violently rotating column of air Recommended items to include in a that extends from a to the ground. Basic Emergency Supply Kit: Tornadoes can generate rotating wind speeds ranging from (Enhanced Fujita Scale) EF0: 65-85 • Bottled water mph to EF5: over 200 mph. • Non-perishable food that requires no Protection Against cooking

• Flashlights and extra batteries Tornadoes can occur day or night, during any TORNADOES • Battery-powered NOAA time of the year. Ohio’s peak tornado season is April through July. On March 2, 2012, an or commercial radio outbreak of about 75 tornadoes swept across • Whistle to signal for help the Midwest and South. The confirmed that seven tornadoes • Moist towelettes, garbage bags for touched down in Ohio, including an EF3 that formed in Kentucky and swept across Clermont sanitation and Brown counties in Ohio. • First-aid supplies and extra medications

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Ensure that pets have plenty of water, food and supplies To protect yourself and others from the dangers of tornadoes and other severe weather events, ReadyOhio and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness suggest the following: • BE INFORMED ––Know what to do before, during and after an emergency.

• MAKE A PLAN PUBLIC SAFETY,P UBLICT RUST ––Develop a disaster plan to respond to all hazards, including tornadoes. www.ema.ohio.gov www.weathersafety.ohio.gov ––Practice the plan by conducting safety drills. BE STORM-READY

• BUILD A KIT ––Organize emergency supply kits for the home and vehicle to be prepared. www.ready.ohio.gov www.publicsafety.ohio.gov OHIO SAFETY TIPS

PURCHASED WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE U.S. DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY EMA 0004 3/16 [760-1282] BEFORE A TORNADO DURING A TORNADO AFTER A TORNADO • Be prepared for severe weather before a • Seek shelter immediately. If a tornado • Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move storm watch or warning is issued. Meet with warning is issued for your area, do not stop seriously injured people unless they are in household members to develop a disaster to take pictures or shoot video. Continue immediate danger of further injury. plan to respond to all hazards, including to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local • Be careful of debris such as damaged tornadoes. Make a family communications media newscasts for up-to-date weather structures, exposed nails and broken glass. plan. Conduct regular tornado drills. information. Do not touch downed power lines. • If you or family members have special • Call 911 for emergency assistance. needs, register with your local emergency management agency, police and/or fire departments before any disaster occurs. KNOW THE TERMS : Issued by the NWS • Be alert to changing weather conditions. when conditions are favorable for Look for approaching storms, and listen to a the development of tornadoes. Be NOAA Weather Radio or media newscasts prepared to move to a safe place if for the latest weather information. In any weather conditions worsen. Stay tuned emergency, always listen to the instructions to weather updates. given by local emergency management officials. Particularly Dangerous Situation Watch: “PDS” is used in rare situations when long-lived, strong and violent tornadoes In Homes: Go to the lowest level, as close to are possible. PDS watches are issued the center as possible. A basement is best, or by the NWS when the likelihood of go to a windowless bathroom, closet or inside significant events is boosted by very hallway. Specifically constructed safe rooms volatile atmospheric conditions. offer the best protection. : Issued by the NWS At Work or School: Follow safety officers or when a tornado is imminent or occurring. teachers’ instructions. Go to an inside wall on A warning may be issued when a the lowest floor. Interior bathrooms and closets tornado is indicated by Doppler radar are good shelter area. Avoid large, open or sighted by trained spotters. Seek safe rooms like gymnasiums and auditoriums where shelter immediately. roofs can collapse. Tornado Emergency: An exceedingly rare tornado warning or statement In Mobile Homes: Get out! Seek issued when there is a severe threat to shelter in a designated human life and catastrophic damage storm shelter or lowest floor from an imminent or ongoing tornado. of a sturdy building nearby. Seek shelter immediately.

In Vehicles: Never try to outrun a tornado. The National Weather Service issues If possible, seek shelter in a nearby sturdy storm watches or warnings as needed. building. If you cannot quickly get to a shelter, Most Ohio communities have outdoor either stay in your car with the seatbelt on warning sirens that sound during storm or exit the vehicle and get lower than the warnings. Consider a smartphone app roadway, lying flat in a ditch and covering for weather alerts. your head with your hands.