SEVERE

Tornado coming? Here's what to do before, during and after

C. A. Bridges
The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Storm Prediction Center:Get the latest tornado watches, warnings here

As Hurricane Ian makes landfall on Florida's southwest coast, the risk of tornadoes is increasing. Much of the state in a line from Miami to northeast of Orlando is under a tornado watch through the afternoon, with a tornado watch in place for east Central Florida till 1 .a.m Thursday.

"An increasingly favorable environment for tornadoes will continue across east central Florida today through Thursday," the Melbourne office of the National Weather Service warned.

Tornadoes are unpredictable, immensely powerful, and very, very dangerous. Here's what you need to know.

Risks of tornadoes from Hurricane Ian as of Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

How do I prepare for a tornado?

The National Weather Service suggests having an emergency plan ready ahead of time, including designating a "safe space" in your home that is a completely interior room, ideally without windows.

You also should have supplies ready such as flashlights, batteries, food, water, clothes and shoes, and some way or multiple ways to get updates including your fully-charged phone with push alerts set up, local TV reports, weather apps and a NOAA weather radio.

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What do I do if a tornado is nearby?

Check forecasts regularly to see if you're at risk for tornadoes. You can get that information from weather apps on your phone, this website, NOAA Weather radio, local news sites such as this one, local TV news, or your local Emergency Operations Center. Stay informed.

Have a family plan ready that includes where to meet and how to keep in touch. Assume you'll lose power and keep your phones fully charged ahead of time, with important phone numbers written down.

Tornadoes can sound like a freight train bearing down on you, but don't assume that if you don't hear that you're safe. Pay attention to weather alerts.

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What's the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning?

If the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for your area it means conditions for tornadoes are good and you should be ready to act quickly. Have your emergency plans and supplies ready.

If your area is under a tornado warning, it means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you may be in imminent danger. Act quickly.

if you are under a tornado warning or if you've seen or heard a tornado approaching, immediately take steps depending on your situation:

What do I do if a tornado is coming and I'm in a house?

If you're in a house:

  • When a tornado watch is issued, be ready to move. 
  • When a tornado warning is issued, move to a small interior room away from windows, ideally already stocked with supplies and any medications you need. Take pets if space and time allows.
  • If you live in a tornado-prone area, the weather service advises you to consider constructing a tornado-safe room in or adjacent to your home.

What do I do if a tornado is coming and I'm in a mobile or manufactured home?

If you're in a mobile or manufactured home:

  • Have a plan of where to go when a tornado watch or warning is issued.
  • The weather service recommends pre-identifying a safe structure within walking distance to go to if a warning is issued.
  • When a tornado watch is issued, be prepared to take action. 
  • If you live in a mobile or manufactured home park, get together with other residents and the park owner or manager to designate safe shelter areas in the community.

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What do I do if a tornado is coming and I'm out in the open?

If you're in open country:

  • Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. If you have time, get to a strong building.
  • If the tornado is coming and there's no time to get somewhere safe, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch or culvert and cover your head with your arms.

What do I do if a tornado is coming and I'm in a vehicle?

  • Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. When a tornado warning is issued, abandon your vehicle and get to a building or, as a last resort, a ditch or culvert.
  • If there's no time to leave your vehicle, get down and cover your head.
  • Do not try to outrun a tornado.

What do I do if a tornado is coming and I'm in an office, condominium, school or hotel?

  • When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in an interior hallway on a lower floor, a closet or a small room.
  • Stay away from windows and avoid large, open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.

What do I do after a tornado has passed?

  • Keep following weather updates. During severe weather outbreaks, more than one tornado can form under the same conditions.
  • Contact your family and loved ones to let them know you're OK. Text messages are more reliable than phone calls.
  • After the threat for tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
  • Help Your Neighbor: If you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until emergency response teams arrive.

What is a tornado?

According to the National Weather Service, a tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.

Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year.

Although tornadoes are most common in the Central Plains and the southeastern United States, they have been reported in all 50 states.

Contributors: Adam Friedman, USA TODAY; Mary Landers, Savannah (Ga.) Morning News

C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network, working with multiple newsrooms across Florida. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to your local news organizationRead more articles by Chris here and follow him on Twitter at @cabridges