Tornadoes

TORNADO INFORMATION AND SAFETY RULES

Tornadoes can and do develop in the Inland Northwest. The majority of tornadoes are small in size, F0 to F1 and capable of producing significant damage. July and August are the more common months to see a tornado, although they have been reported in almost every month of the year and in every county in eastern Washington and north Idaho. The Inland Northwest sees about 1-2 tornadoes each year. The last big severe weather outbreak was May 31, 1997 when 4 tornadoes occurred in on day!

Tornado spotted near Fairchild AFB near Airway Heights 5/21/04.

When conditions for tornadoes become favorable, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center issues a Tornado Watch covering a large area for the next 4-6 hours. This is when you need to prepare for the possibility of a tornado. It may be too late to develop a plan after a warning goes into effect. Stay tuned to commercial radio, NOAA Weather Radio, local TV or cable TV for details.

When tornadoes are imminent or detected by radar or trained spotters, a Tornado Warning is issued by the National Weather Service. If the Tornado Warning is for your area, remember the following safety tips:

IN HOMES OR SMALL BUILDINGS: Go to the basement (if available) or to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom. Upper floors are unsafe. If there is no time to descend, go to a closet, a small room with strong walls, or an inside hallway. Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself from flying debris.

IN SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, FACTORIES, OR SHOPPING CENTERS: Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses. Crouch down and cover your head. Don't take shelter in halls that open to the south or the west. Centrally-located stairwells are good shelter.

IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS: Go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls or areas containing glass.

IN CARS OR MOBILE HOMES: Abandon them immediately! Most deaths occur in care and mobile homes. If you are in either of those locations, leave them and go to a substantial structure or designated tornado shelter.

IF NO SUITABLE STRUCTURE IS NEARBY: Lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head. Be alert for flash floods.

DURING A TORNADO: Absolutely avoid buildings with large free-span roofs. Stay away from west and south walls. Remember, find the lowest level, smallest room, or center part of a building of home. No matter where you are, do som advance planning if possible. Identify protective areas you can get to in a hurry. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio that will provide an alarm if a Tornado Watch or Warning is in affect for your community or county. Tornadoes may even develop without a Tornado Warning in effect.

Here are a few tips to help you, survivors of tornadoes have often stated hearing a loud roaring sound with torandoes. Also, if you are receiving golfball hail or larger, you are near the most dangerous part of the storm which could be followed by a tornado. If you see rotating debris even without the existence of a funnel cloud, it could be a dangerous twister.

TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION WHEN A WARNING IS ISSUED OR WHEN YOU SPOT A TORNADO. REMEMBER, THE ACTIONS YOU TAKE DURING A TORNADO EVENT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF YOUR FAMILY.

For more information on tornado safety and information, visit the National Weather Service Severe Weather Awareness web page.