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What to Do After a Tornado
- Continue listening to local
radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated
information and instructions. Access may be limited to some
parts of the community, or roads may be blocked.
- Help a neighbor who may
require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people
with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities
may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who
have large families may need additional assistance in emergency
situations.
- Help injured or trapped
persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move
seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of
further injury. Call for help.
- Watch out for fallen power
lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company
immediately. Reporting potential hazards will get the
utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further
hazard and injury.
- Avoid disaster areas.
Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations,
and put you at further risk from the residual effects of
tornadoes.
- Stay out of damaged
buildings. Tornadoes can cause great damage, creating further
hazards. If you are away from home, return only when authorities
say it is safe.
- When entering damaged
buildings, use extreme caution. Moving through debris presents
further hazards. Carefully watch every step you take.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The
most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
- Use battery-powered
lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings.
Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing
fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building. Do not use
candles at any time.
- Examine walls, floors,
doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is
not in danger of collapsing.
- Look for fire hazards.
There may be broken or leaking gas lines, or damage to
electrical systems. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches,
gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Fire is the
most frequent hazard following other disasters.
- Check for gas leaks. If
you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window
and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas using the
outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a
neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must
be turned back on by a professional.
- Look for electrical system
damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if
you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the
main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water
to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician
first for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked and
dried before being returned to service.
- Watch for loose plaster,
drywall, and ceilings that could fall.
- Take pictures of the
damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance
claims.
- Use the telephone only for
emergency calls. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in
disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls to
get through. - Red Cross
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