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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
932 AM EDT Fri Apr 26 2024

...SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK CONTINUES -- TORNADO SAFETY AND
MAKING A PLAN...

The National Weather Service (NWS) Boston, MA has declared April
22 through April 26 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Each day
this week we will highlight a different preparedness topic.

We know that tornadoes do occur here, such as the EF3 in Monson
and Springfield, Massachusetts in 2011, the EF2 in Revere,
Massachusetts in 2014, and 17 EF0 and EF1 tornadoes in southern
New England in 2018. The question is, are people prepared? Take
these steps to ensure that you and your family are safe during a
Tornado Warning.

When your area is under a Tornado Warning, or if you see a tornado
approaching, you should seek shelter immediately! Most injuries
associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to
protect your head. The following are safety tips for seeking
shelter during high winds and tornadoes.

If you are in a structure such as a residence, small building,
school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, or high-
rise building: 1. Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe
room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If
there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on
the lowest level (such as a closet, bathroom, or interior
hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put
as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under
a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. 2.
In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway
on the lowest floor possible. 3. Do not open windows.

If you are in a manufactured home or office: 1. Get out
immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest
floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile
homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

If you are outside with no shelter available, there is no single
research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take,
because many factors can affect your decision. Possible actions
include: 1. Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt
and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle
is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park
and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other
cushion if possible. 2. Lie in an area noticeably lower than the
level of the roadway and cover your head with your arms and a
blanket, coat or other cushion if possible. 3. Do not get under an
overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. 4.
Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car
or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe
shelter.

Make sure that you know the difference between a Tornado Watch
and a Tornado Warning. A Tornado Watch means that you should be
prepared because conditions are such that a tornado could form,
somewhere within the large Watch area. However, a Tornado Warning
means that you need to take action! A tornado is either occurring,
or is imminent, based on radar or spotter observations!

During a Tornado Watch, check for forecast updates, keep an eye
to the sky, and know where to take shelter. During a Tornado
Warning, take shelter immediately! Seek further forecast
information on NOAA Weather Radio, the NWS website, or local media
outlets for the latest updates.

The first step in making sure that you and your family are
prepared for severe weather is pledging to prepare.  This includes
developing a family emergency and communications plan.  In short,
know what to do before severe weather strikes by creating an
emergency plan today.

Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is
important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place;
how you will contact one another; how you will get back together;
and what you will do in different situations.

Planning for severe weather also includes:  Ensure that you and
your family members know about your surroundings and severe
weather risks specific to your area. Have an emergency plan in
place, and know what to do before severe weather strikes.  Stay
informed by having multiple sources for weather alerts. Exercise
the plan with your family.

History teaches that a lack of awareness and preparation are
common threads among all major weather disasters. Knowing your
vulnerability and what actions you should take can save your life
and others.  During this preparedness week, we ask you to be a
force of nature.  Know your risk, take action and be an example by
sharing what you have done to prepare, with your friends, family,
neighbors, and co-workers, and encourage them to do the same.

For more information, visit Weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm or
Ready.gov/make-a-plan

$$

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