Thunderstorm and Tornado Safety Actions  Abandon Mobile Homes

Hernando County EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS

Myth vs Fact • • • Thunderstorms are a frequent part of life in Florida. Thunderstorms occur Myth: Tornadoes have picked up people and in all seasons of the year, but they are more numerous during the summer. items up, carried them some distance and Florida has the greatest number of thunderstorms in the United States, then set them down without injury or occurring 75 to 105 days each year. Florida experiences more damage. thunderstorms than others states because: (1) Florida is located close to Fact: People and animals have been large bodies of water that provide moisture; (2) Florida receives plenty of transported up to a quarter mile or more sunlight, which warms the air near the ground; and, (3) Sea breeze without serious injury. Fragile items, such as boundaries can move onshore and provide a source of lift for the sets of fine china, or glass-ware have been thunderstorms. blown from houses and recovered, miles away, without any damage. However, these Thunderstorms can produce dangerous hazards such as lightning, occurrences are the exception, rather than the tornadoes, hail, strong winds and heavy rain that can lead to flooding. A norm. thunderstorm is considered “severe” when it produces winds in excess of 58 mph, hail that is one inch across or larger (the size of a U.S. quarter), Myth: You can outrun a tornado, especially or if it produces a tornado. Tornadoes develop within very strong in a vehicle. thunderstorms when rising air currents in a storm begin to rotate. If the Fact: Tornadoes can move at up to 70 mph or rotation is strong enough and can last for a long enough period of time, a more and shift directions erratically and funnel cloud can drop from the clouds and touch ground. Some without warning. thunderstorms may produce several tornadoes. Tornadoes also can occur near the edge of tropical cyclones, in squalls called rain bands. These Myth: Open the windows of a home to help tornadoes often occur more than 100 miles from the center of the tropical equalize the pressure and minimize the cyclone. damage to the home in the event of an oncoming tornado. Tornadoes usually last only a few minutes, but often cause severe Fact: Although there are pressure changes damage. The damage area of a tornado is usually narrow, but in its direct within tornadoes, most of the damage to path winds can be as strong as 200 mph. Sometimes, strong thunderstorm structures will be caused by the winds and the wind gusts, often called downbursts, can produce as much damage as a debris carried by the winds. All homes will tornado. Downbursts can snap trees, blow down signs and cause roof equalize its pressure inside since no house is damage. 100% sealed.

Waterspouts Myth: Overpasses offer suitable shelter if A waterspout is a tornado over water. Florida waterspouts come in all you are caught outside in a tornado. shapes, sizes, and intensities. Waterspouts can form year round in Florida, Fact: Seeking shelter in an overpass is more during the peak summer months, as well as more intense waterspouts dangerous compared to standing in an open during the winter or spring months and within hurricane or tropical storm field. Winds will be funneled under the rain bands. Waterspouts are quite common over the waters along the bridge which will increase the speed. Florida Keys, the lagoons and rivers along the Florida Treasure Coast, Additionally, debris also tends to collect in and Tampa Bay. Waterspout winds can reach and exceed 40-90 mph, overpasses from a passing tornado which which is strong enough to swamp or capsize a small watercraft. All could cause significant harm to those seeking waterspouts pose a threat to boater safety, and should be avoided. shelter there.

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER (PIC) : (352) 754-4083 or (352) 754-4111 (Recorded) Hernando County Emergency Management National Weather Service - Brooksville Florida Division of Emergency Management FEMA MyFlorida.com American Red Cross

1 Hernando County EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS

Florida Tornadoes Most Florida tornadoes occur in the afternoon and early evening hours Tornado Safety Actions during the summer months of June, July and August. These tornadoes • • • tend to be weaker in strength but can still produce damage. Stronger and A TORNADO WATCH means conditions more devastating tornadoes can occur in Florida mainly in the late winter are favorable for a tornado to form. Stay alert and spring when strong cold fronts move through the state and provide and be prepared to take shelter. the necessary conditions for tornadoes to form. Tornadoes have occurred

in every month in Florida, even on Christmas Day. Tornadoes can also strike at any time of day. Most of Florida’s tornado-related deaths occur A TORNADO WARNING means that a during overnight hours. Since 1950, only three states – Texas, Kansas tornado has been spot-ted or indicated on and Oklahoma – have reported more tornadoes than Florida. Florida also radar. Take immediate safety precautions. ranks fourth in damage caused by tornadoes. At Home National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists use Doppler radar to  Review your tornado preparedness plan and track thunderstorm development, severity, and movement. “Severe be prepared to take action when a Tornado Thunderstorm Warnings” are issued when a thunderstorm in the area is Watch is issued. capable of causing damage and is a threat to life and property. Doppler  When a Tornado Warning is issued, go to radar also identifies the rotation inside a thunderstorm, which could be the innermost room on the lowest level, the beginning of a tornado. However, an actual tornado is typically too small for the Doppler radar to detect. Therefore, meteorologists depend away from windows. Closets, halls and on volunteer storm spotters who report funnel clouds, tornadoes and bathrooms are good places to go. other severe weather to the National Weather Service. The National  If you do not have time to get to the lowest Weather Service will issue a Tornado Warning when a tornado has been level, get into a bathtub or under a bed. either seen by a weather spotter or when Doppler radar indicates strong  In a Manufactured or Mobile Home rotation inside a thunderstorm.  Mobile homes are NOT safe in any tornado. Thunderstorm and Tornado Safety Actions  Abandon mobile homes. If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued for  Know where to go during a tornado your area, seek shelter immediately! Find shelter in a small, interior room threat—a nearby pre-identified safe on the lowest floor of your home and stay away from windows, doors structure within walking distance. and electrical equipment. Avoid rooms that are near tall structures like trees and power lines. Leave mobile homes and find a stronger building or house. In the classroom, seek shelter in a hallway or closet, or get underneath a desk or table and cover your head with your arms. If caught outdoors or on the road try to get as low as possible, such as in a creek bed or ditch, and cover your head.

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz): 162.400 162.425 162.450 162.475 162.500 162.525 162.550