Tornado Safety Tips from Chief Smith
D’Iberville Fire Department
Weekly Safety Tips
Subject: Severe Weather (Tornadoes)
Although more common during the afternoon and evening hours, and during Spring and Fall, Tornadoes can develop at any time during the day or night, and any time during the year. Tornadoes can travel across the ground at more than 60 mph, and produce winds greater than 300 mph. Very few homes in the Southern Mississippi area have underground basements or shelters, so the following may help increase your chances of surviving a tornado.
- If you have some type of underground shelter the safest place would be in the area of the northeast corner.
- If in homes or small buildings go to the smallest, most interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom and use blankets or other items to help protect you body against flying debris.
- In larger buildings such as schools, hospitals or shopping centers go to the smallest, most interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Stay away from large open areas such as auditoriums and warehouses or areas with large glass walls. Remember to crouch down and cover your head.
- In high rise buildings go to the smallest, most interior room or hallway. Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
- If you are in cars, campers or mobile homes abandon them immediately. Leave them and go to a substantial structure. Do not seek shelter beneath an overpass, they provide little or no shelter and could be deadly.
- If caught in the open, lie flat in a culvert, ditch or depression and cover your head.
It is also a good idea to purchase a Severe Weather Alert Radio. This will alert you of severe weather warnings being issued for your area, especially during nighttime hours.
