Editor’s note — The following is reposted from May 2009, as STN contributor Cheri Clymer shared thoughts on tornado warnings on some of the confusing advice on what to do. This is especially pertinent following the deadly EF5 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., on May 20 that killed 24 people, including 10 children at a local school that was flattened by the two-mile-wide twister. Additionally more than 350 people were injured. Then, a week later, a second fatal tornado hit the nearby town of El Reno.
Take a read and consider how pupil transporters can best prepare for this emergency.
What is a tornado warning? A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted, or that Doppler radar indicates a thunderstorm circulation which can spawn a tornado. When a tornado warning is issued for your town or county, take immediate safety precautions. Local NWS offices issue tornado warnings.
When a tornado warning is issued, transportation personnel look to the prominent weather service professionals for advice and response. Recently, there has been a change of procedures in tornado warning response issued by the American Red Cross. Following are suggested responses to tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.
National Weather Service:
- In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Otherwise, park the car as quickly and safely as possible — out of the traffic lanes. [It is safer to get the car out of mud later if necessary than to cause a crash.] Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If in the open country, run to low ground away from any cars (which may roll over on you). Lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
- Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
What if you are outside with no shelter? Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
Red Cross:
- If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. The tornado may be approaching your area.
- If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter, or sturdy building. If you cannot get to shelter, a recent study* suggests doing the following:
- Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive at right angles to the storm movement and out of the path.
- If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
- If you are unable to get to a building or vehicle, as a last resort, lie in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
The emergency agencies follow similar response to tornados. Each suggests driving at right angles to the tornado, if possible. If you cannot continue driving, the next suggested response by the NWS and FEMA is to leave your vehicle immediately and seek shelter in a building or if outside, in a low lying area such as a ditch. The American Red Cross suggests seeking shelter in a building as well. However, their recommendation, if you cannot get to a shelter, is to stay with the vehicle, seat belted in with engine running and ride out the storm. They suggest lying in a ditch or depression as a last resort.
As you can see, there is a definite area of discrepancy. This is an extremely important issue, one that requires research on the part of the transportation professional. Should you be the judge? What is the correct response?
Clymer is a retired school transportation safety trainer from Loveland, Colo., and is the co-author of NAPT’s Emergency Preparedness Guide. She can be contacted at clymer@skybeam.com.
