What to do during a hurricane, tornado or storm to avoid getting hurt

Hurricane – a powerful atmospheric vortex of large sizes with wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Its variety is storm. This is a long-lasting wind with a speed of more than 20 meters per second, which is usually observed during the passage of a cyclone and is accompanied by strong waves at sea and destruction on land.

Tornado, or tornado, is also an atmospheric vortex, but in the form of a cloud arm or trunk with a diameter of tens and hundreds of meters. It arises in a thundercloud and stretches down, often to the very surface of the earth.

The destructive winds and heavy rain that accompany hurricanes, storms and tornadoes often cause loss of life and cause serious damage to property. Here are simple recommendations that will help protect yourself from the violence of the elements.

What to do before a hurricane, tornado or storm

You need to prepare in advance for strong winds and downpours. Here’s what to do.

Prepare essentials

Pack an emergency bag in advance in case of emergency evacuation. Place documents, money, bank cards, a power bank, a spare smartphone, duplicate house and car keys, a first aid kit and any prescription medications you need, a whistle, a flashlight and batteries. Leave this bag in an easily accessible place.

Have at home stock canned food and drinking water for a few days – in case you find yourself locked inside. Hurricanes are often accompanied by heavy rains and floods, but the water left after them should not be drunk because it may contain pathogenic bacteria, chemical impurities and dirt. Also take care of food and medicine for your pets.

Prepare warm, waterproof clothing. Buy a fire extinguisher, because hurricanes often cause electrical wiring to break and a fire may occur. Stock up on fuel for your car in case you have to evacuate in an emergency.

Prepare your home

If you live in an area prone to storms and hurricanes, you should take action in advance to minimize damage. Here’s what to do:

• Equip windows and glass doors with storm shutters. Another option is to have sheets of thick plywood ready, pre-cut to size, so you can quickly nail them when needed.
• Make sure the roof is secure. If necessary, reinforce it with additional straps and clips to prevent the covering from being torn off by the wind. Clean gutters and pipes thoroughly to prevent possible flooding. Secure them more firmly.
• Trim trees and shrubs in your area in a timely manner: Broken branches can be a hazard during a hurricane.
• Consider adding a room in your home with reinforced walls.. Such shelters, for example, are quite popular in USA. Inside you can provide a toilet and place food supplies. You can also use a basement as a shelter.
• Install a deep drainage well in the basement and drainage ditches around the structure to avoid flooding.
• Keep valuables on shelves that are high enough and securely secured.to prevent damage in case of flooding. Send any household chemicals there, tightly closing them.

Get the necessary knowledge

A hurricane can damage pipes and cables, so make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn off electricity, gas and water to their home.

Check with local authorities or emergency services for evacuation plans and shelter locations. Learn to provide first aid – this will be useful in any emergency situations.

What to do in case of a hurricane, tornado or storm if you are at home

Storm warnings are transmitted through the media after the “Attention everyone!” signal, as well as via SMS. If you get this while at home, follow these steps: actions:

• Close windows, doors and attic spaces, as well as ventilation openings and dormer windows. A stream of moist air is a good conductor of electric current from lightning, so you should not let it into the house.
• Remove things and potted plants from balconies, loggias and window sills. Screen windows and glass doors with storm shutters or plywood. Seal them with tape or strips of paper not worth it: This will not provide adequate protection from the wind, but if the glass breaks, the sharp pieces will be larger and can seriously cut someone.
• Turn off the gas and put out the fire in the stove or fireplace. Provide emergency lighting, such as lanterns or candles.
• Fill bottles, sinks or bathtub with water in case of unexpected outages.
• Bring in all loose items from outside: furniture, bicycles, toys, garden tools. Move the vehicle to a garage or other shelter.
• Unplug electronics. TV, refrigerator and other electrical appliances may get injured during a thunderstorm and due to a cable break in strong winds.
• Shut off the gas and water. Water and gas pipes can be damaged by a hurricane and leak. Do not touch them with your hands during a thunderstorm: they can also conduct atmospheric electricity. Do not use a stove. Cap propane tanks if you have them.
• Don’t stand in front of windowsso that you are not injured by flying glass or struck by lightning. The best thing accommodate in a basement or cellar, in the center of an interior room, in a hallway, in a bathroom, closet, pantry, in a sturdy closet or under a table. You can also take shelter in the entrance or on the stairs, but do not go into the elevator, because the building may be without power.
• Leave your radio or walkie-talkie on: They can transmit important information. If you don’t have such devices, connect wired headphones to your smartphone – most mobile devices can pick up FM radio signals.
• Don’t ignore evacuation warnings. Listen to the radio all the time and follow messages on the Internet. If it becomes dangerous to be at home and the authorities declare the need to leave the disaster area, be prepared to evacuate to a declared safe area. Don’t forget to take your pets, your emergency suitcase, warm clothes, supplies of water and canned food for a couple of days.

What to do in case of a hurricane, tornado or storm, if the elements find you outside

If you don’t have time to get home, take action following:

• Take shelter in the entrance or basement of the nearest buildingif possible.
• If you are in a vehicle, leave it and find somewhere to hide from the storm. The car can be overturned by the wind, and it is better to be away from it at this moment. Do not park your vehicle under trees, billboards, near street lighting poles or other objects that may fall.
• If there is no shelter nearby, quickly lie down at the bottom of any depression: ditches, pits, ravine, pit or roadside ditch. Press yourself firmly into the ground. Cover your head with a bag, briefcase, board or something else to protect it from falling objects. Protect your eyes with a cloth to keep debris and dust out.
• Stay away from buildings and trees, bridges and overpasses, pavilions and other objects that the wind can bring down. Stay away from areas where chemicals or flammable substances may be stored. Don’t stand on uplands.
• Move sufficient distance away from poles, masts, trees and tall fences. Otherwise they may fall on your head. Also, tall, free-standing objects are good targets for lightning, so keep that in mind.
• Stay away from downed electrical wiresas well as to metal structures, pipes and water surfaces.

What to do after a hurricane, tornado or storm

Don’t go outside immediately after the wind subsides because the storm may blow in a few minutes. play out with renewed vigor. Monitor the situation and remain sheltered until authorities report that the weather has returned to normal.

When there’s a hurricane will end, make sure that the house does not smell of gas. Do not light the fire until you are sure there is no leak.

Do not use electrical appliances until you are sure they are dry. Do not plug them in until the light stops flashing.

Be careful when walking around downed power lines as they may be live. Beware of downed trees, swinging banners, signs and billboards.

When putting your house in order after a storm, be careful. Wear thick rubber gloves, protective clothing and shoes to avoid injury or infection. Be especially careful around broken glass, electrical wiring and pipes. Children should not help while cleaning the house.

If a hurricane is accompanied by flooding, do not go into flood waters – there may be electrical cables, dangerous chemicals or disease-causing bacteria.