By Tod Pritchard
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
April 19, 2012… 1:45pm. Sirens will wail. Radio and TV stations will interrupt programming. NOAA Weather Radios will go off. What’s going on? It is the annual statewide Tornado drill. And for the first time broadcasters across the state will be joining schools, business and families in the annual test to prepare for Wisconsin
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| Joplin, Missouri: EF-5 tornado kills 161 people |
If you go to the ReadyWisconsin website (http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/) you will view tornado survival stories from Wisconsin
There are many myths about tornadoes which are false and could be life threatening. Here’s one I hear all the time: When traveling by car...seek shelter under an overpass as a
tornado approaches.
tornado approaches.
Fact:
Seeking shelter under an overpass is more dangerous than standing in an open field while a tornado is approaching. When a tornado passes over an overpass, winds are funneled under the bridge thereby increasing the velocity. The same phenomena can be experienced by standing between two buildings on a windy day. The best place to seek shelter while traveling is in a sturdy building. If no building is available, lie flat on the ground and cover your head or stay in your vehicle with seat belts fastened. Tornadoes do not follow terrain features exactly so chances are if the tornado comes directly toward your location...it will pass right over you. Be wary however...debris tends to collect in lows spots such as culverts and ditches...and flash flooding may be possible as well.
Here is another one: To minimize damage to your house...open all the windows prior to
a tornado striking it to equalize the pressure inside and prevent it from exploding...
Seeking shelter under an overpass is more dangerous than standing in an open field while a tornado is approaching. When a tornado passes over an overpass, winds are funneled under the bridge thereby increasing the velocity. The same phenomena can be experienced by standing between two buildings on a windy day. The best place to seek shelter while traveling is in a sturdy building. If no building is available, lie flat on the ground and cover your head or stay in your vehicle with seat belts fastened. Tornadoes do not follow terrain features exactly so chances are if the tornado comes directly toward your location...it will pass right over you. Be wary however...debris tends to collect in lows spots such as culverts and ditches...and flash flooding may be possible as well.
Here is another one: To minimize damage to your house...open all the windows prior to
a tornado striking it to equalize the pressure inside and prevent it from exploding...
Fact:
While tornadoes do have incredible pressure changes associated within them...if a tornado strikes your house directly...the winds and flying debris alone will damage it severely anyway. All homes have the ability to equalize their pressure inside...since no house is 100 percent air-tight. By opening windows you allow no chance of the window
shielding you from debris outside which may cause bodily harm...and it wastes precious time you need to take cover.
While tornadoes do have incredible pressure changes associated within them...if a tornado strikes your house directly...the winds and flying debris alone will damage it severely anyway. All homes have the ability to equalize their pressure inside...since no house is 100 percent air-tight. By opening windows you allow no chance of the window
shielding you from debris outside which may cause bodily harm...and it wastes precious time you need to take cover.
For more information on severe storms and tornado preparedness, please go to our website: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov. And remember, Listen, Act and Live!
