Preparing for a Tornado

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms.

Warmer seasons can bring about destructive tornadoes around mid-Michigan. Peak tornado season for the northern states is late spring through early summer, and most commonly occur between 3:00pm and 9:00pm, but can strike anytime. Tornadoes can develop quickly and without warning, so keeping your home and family prepared for storms and power outages is essential to ensuring everyone remains safe during unpredictable weather.

During storms, keep an eye out for skies turning dark and greenish, watch for large hail, low-lying clouds, and loud roars similar to a freight train. These are danger signs a tornado may be approaching and you should seek shelter immediately.

If you are under a tornado warning and in a structure, get to the lowest level of the building or home. If you are too far from the lowest level to get there in time, go to a small interior room or hallway. Manufactured and mobile homes offer little protection from tornadoes - getting out immediately and to a pre-defined location such as a storm shelter or nearby building. When you're outside and a tornado warning occurs, take cover in a stationary vehicle, covering your head with your arms, a blanket or a coat. If you cannot get inside anywhere, lie in an area noticeably lower than the roadway. Never take cover under an overpass or a bridge!

Be sure to build an emergency preparedness kit in case you're caught in a storm or power outage. Visit ready.gov/kit to see what essentials you should have in your kit. While building your kit, it's a good idea to gather the family and plan a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated during a storm.

Wind, rain and hail can do a lot of damage to your home during a storm. If you find yourself needing emergency tarping or boarding up, call SERVPRO of East Lansing/Haslett at 517-999-0789. We're here to help.