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Social Media: Tornadoes

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Social Media: Tornado Safety (Spring)
#WeatherReady

 

Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Nighttime Tornadoes

Facebook
Tornadoes can happen at any time of day! If severe weather is forecast for your area, take a few quick moments to prepare yourself before lying down for the night.

Stay #WeatherReady and learn more at: weather.gov/safety/tornado

X/Twitter
Tornadoes can happen at any time! If severe weather is forecast, be sure to prepare before lying down for the night. Stay #WeatherReady. weather.gov/safety/tornado

A graphic of a bedroom is shown with text that reads: Be Prepared for Nighttime Tornadoes. In the graphic, necessary and potentially life-saving items are laid out. A NOAA Weather Radio and fully charged cell phone (with Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled) in the bedroom will ensure you are notified of any severe weather or possible tornadoes. Test the NOAA Weather Radio regularly and make sure it’s tuned to your local station. A flashlight and sturdy shoes should also be kept nearby in case you need to leave quickly. A safe place to shelter should be prepared in advance if you know storms are coming.

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Tornadoes - Driving

Facebook
Tornado Ahead?
It's critical to stay informed about possible severe weather when you travel. Know before you go! weather.gov/safety/tornado

X/Twitter
It's critical to stay informed about possible severe weather when you travel. Know before you go! weather.gov/safety/tornado

Graphic with a road extending toward the distant horizon where ominous and stormy clouds are building. Large text reads: Tornado Ahead? It’s critical to stay informed about possible severe weather when you travel. Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your phone. Take immediate action and find shelter if there’s a tornado or threatening weather ahead! Overpasses are not safe shelter.

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Tornado Safety for Employers

Facebook
Hey, Employers, Managers, Bosses & Supervisors!

Does your workplace have a designated tornado shelter? Does your workforce know what to do when severe weather threatens?

Learn about tornado safety plans at weather.gov or at osha.gov/tornado

X/Twitter
Hey, Employers, Managers, Bosses & Supervisors! Does your workplace have a designated tornado shelter? Does your workforce know what to do when severe weather threatens?

Learn about tornado safety plans at weather.gov or at osha.gov/tornado

Image of a sign directing readers to a tornado shelter is shown with text outlining tornado safety guidelines for employers. Label shelter locations, only using small interior rooms or hallways on the lowest level (away from windows and doors). Ensure accountability and develop an emergency response plan with checklists to assign roles and account for everyone onsite. Have disaster supplies, keeping first aid kits, food, water, and more in all shelters. Train your staff to ensure everyone knows what to do during emergencies, and regularly practice sheltering exercises.

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Storm Planning Timeline

Facebook
Don’t wait until the day of the storm to begin protecting yourself. If the forecast calls for severe weather, begin preparing NOW. Stay Weather-Ready.
weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
Don’t wait until the day of the storm to begin protecting yourself. If the forecast calls for severe weather, begin preparing NOW. Stay #WeatherReady.
weather.gov/safety/tornado

Storm Planning Timeline. If the forecast calls for severe weather in a few days, start preparing now: make sure that you have emergency supplies; know your safe places; have a family communications plan. The day before, forecast accuracy continues to improve: adjust plans; make sure your phone can receive WEAs; ensure your shelter is clean and accessible. The day of, remain vigilant and aware of any active Watches - a Warning may be issued at a moment's notice: remind your family of the communication plan; know how to evacuation and/or get to safety from wherever you are; whenever a Warning is issued, you may only have seconds to take action!

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Helping Others: Tornadoes

Facebook
Some people are especially vulnerable to weather hazards. When a Tornado Warning is issued, the standard safety action is to immediately take shelter in a safe place. However, people with a lower-level of mobility, such as the elderly or disabled, may need to take action beforehand, such as when a Tornado Watch is issued. Help them and others in your community prepare by helping them identify a safe space, practicing (and timing) tornado drills with them, and showing them how to receive Tornado Watches and Warnings. weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
Some people are especially vulnerable to the dangers of tornadoes. Those with a lower level of mobility, such as the elderly or disabled, may need your help to prepare and stay safe. #WeatherReady weather.gov/safety/tornado

Helping Others: Tornadoes. Help others identify a safe place (often a basement or interior room away from windows). Practice (and time) tornado prep drills with them. Show them how to receive Tornado Watches and Warnings.

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Severe Weather Can Escalate Quickly

Facebook
Tornadoes can form in minutes, day or night. Stay Weather-Ready by having a way to receive weather alerts any time of day. If you receive a Tornado Warning, get to shelter immediately. weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
Tornadoes can form in minutes, day or night. Stay #WeatherReady by having a way to receive weather alerts any time of day. If you receive a Tornado Warning, get to shelter immediately. weather.gov/safety/tornado

Severe Weather can escalate quickly. While the possibility of tornadoes can be forecast ahead of time, they can form in minutes, day or night. Will you be prepared? Set up a way to get weather warnings any time of day. When alerted to a tornado, quickly get to a storm shelter or basement. If underground shelter isn't available, get to an interior hall away from windows.

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Tornado Watch vs Warning

Facebook
A Tornado WATCH means Be Prepared.
A Tornado WARNING means Take Action!
weather.gov/safety/tornado-ww

Twitter
A Tornado WATCH means Be Prepared.
A Tornado WARNING means Take Action!
weather.gov/safety/tornado-ww #WeatherReady

1. A Tornado Watch mean be prepared. A Tornado Watch is issued when a tornado is possible. Know your safe place, such as a storm shelter, basement, or interior hall away from windows, and be prepared to act if a Warning is issued. 2. A Tornado Warning means take action! A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is happening or about to happen. Immediately seek shelter in your safe place!

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Your Safe Place from Tornadoes

Facebook
Tornadoes can be extremely dangerous. Safe places include storm shelters and basements — but if not available, an interior room without windows can also be protective. If you receive a tornado warning, take shelter immediately! weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
Tornadoes can be extremely dangerous. Safe places include storm shelters and basements — but if not available, an interior room without windows can also be protective. If you receive a tornado warning, take shelter immediately! weather.gov/safety/tornado #WeatherReady

Your safe place from tornadoes: tornadoes can be extremely dangerous. Safe places are storm shelters and basements, but if not available, an interior room without windows can also be protective. If you receive a tornado warning, take shelter immediately!

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What Weather-Ready Looks Like (Tornadoes)

Facebook
What does being Weather-Ready look like? When it comes to tornadoes, it means knowing your ‘safe place’ and practicing going there well before severe weather arrives. Learn more tornado safety tips at weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
What does being #WeatherReady look like? When it comes to tornadoes, it means knowing your ‘safe place’ and practicing going there well before severe weather arrives. Learn more tornado safety tips at weather.gov/safety/tornado

What does Weather-Ready look like? Before tornadoes: People locating their safe place from tornadoes and who practice going there well before severe weather arrives.

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Science of Tornadoes (Video)

Facebook
Tornadoes are one of the most powerful, destructive and dangerous weather hazards. Although the details of their formation are still being researched, we do know the general steps. Watch this video for a quick science lesson. youtu.be/MMLRNW4UJOc

Twitter
Although the details of tornado formation are still being researched, we do know the ingredients. Watch this video for a quick #science lesson. youtu.be/MMLRNW4UJOc

 

Sheltering Guidelines

Facebook
You know to take shelter immediately if your area receives a Tornado Warning. But what makes a good shelter? Take the time now to figure out your options and make sure you’re Weather-Ready. weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
You know to take shelter immediately if your area receives a Tornado Warning. But what makes a good shelter? Take the time now to figure out your options and make sure you’re #WeatherReady weather.gov/safety/tornado

Tornado Sheltering Guidelines: Seek the best available area immediately when a Tornado Warning is issued. Your chance of surviving a tornado is exceelent if you follow these guidelines. Worst Options: mobile homes, vehicles, underneath a highway overpass. Bad Options: Large open rooms like gymnasiums, manufactured housing. Good Options: Interior room of a well-constructed home or building, basement. Best Options: Above or below ground Tornado Storm Shelter (NSSA/ICC 500 compliant, recommended by FEMA) or a specifically-designed FEMA Safe Room.

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Sheltering at Home

Facebook
Imagine you’re relaxing at home...when all of a sudden, a Tornado Warning comes through on your phone or NOAA Weather Radio. Where will you go to stay safe? weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
Imagine you’re relaxing at home...when all of a sudden, a Tornado Warning comes through on your phone or NOAA Weather Radio. Where will you go to stay safe? #WeatherReady weather.gov/safety/tornado

Know where to go when sheltering at home from a tornado. Quickly move to your basement and bring your emergency supply kit. If you have no basement, move to an interior room with no windows. Top floors DO NOT protect you. Exterior rooms and room with windows DO NOT protect you. No place outside is safe from a tornado.

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Tornadoes and Road Safety

Facebook
During a tornado, seeking refuge in a vehicle or under an overpass is NOT safe. If you are outside during a tornado warning, the best option is to drive to a designated shelter, basement, or safe room. weather.gov/safety/tornado

Twitter
During a tornado, seeking refuge in a vehicle or under an overpass is NOT safe. If you are outside during a tornado warning, the best option is to drive to a designated shelter, basement, or safe room. weather.gov/safety/tornado #WeatherReady

TORNADOES AND ROAD SAFETY. 1) What To Do: Get off the road. The best option is to drive to a designated shelter, basement or safe room. The next best option is a small, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. 2) What No To Do: Do not seek refuge in a vehicle, outside or under an overpass. A highway overpass does not provide safety from a tornado. Do not seek shelter under an overpass or a tree. This puts you at greater risk of being killed or seriously injured by flying debris from the powerful tornadic winds.

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“Particularly Dangerous Situation”

Facebook
Have you ever noticed the wording “THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION” in severe weather watches? Here’s what it means.

Twitter
Have you ever noticed the wording “THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION” in severe weather watches? Here’s what it means. #WeatherReady

Have you ever noticed the wording 'This is a particularly danagerous situation' in some of the severe weather watches issued by the NWS Storm Prediction Center? This wording is likely used in Tornado Watches for rare situations when long-lived and intense tornadoes are likely. This enhanced wording may also accompany Severe Thunderstorm Watches for widespread and exceptionally intense straight-line wind events. Be prepared! Review your severe weather safety procedures. Know the safest place to seek refuge ahead of time. Consider canceling or postponing outdoor activities. Have multiple ways to receive a warning. Inform others of the heightened risk.

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Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks

Facebook
Do you know the severe weather risk categories? See the severe weather outlooks issued by the Storm Prediction Center spc.noaa.gov/

Twitter
Know your risk for severe weather? See the Storm Prediction Center @NWSSPC spc.noaa.gov/ #WeatherReady

Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks - issued by the Storm Prediction Center. THUNDERSTORMS (no label - winds to 40 mph / small hail): No severe thunderstorms expected. Lightning/flooding threats exist with all thunderstorms. 1-MARGINAL (MRGL - winds 40-60 mph / hail up to 1 inch / low tornado risk): Isolated severe thunderstorms possible. Limited in duration and/or coverage and/or intensity. 2-SLIGHT (SLGT - one or two tornadoes / reports of strong winds, wind damage / hail 1 inch in general, 2 inches isolated): Scattered severe storms possible. Short-lived and/or not widespread, isolated intense storms possible. 3-ENHANCED (ENH - a few tornadoes / several reports of wind damage / damaging hail, 1-2 inches): Numerous severe storms possible. More persistent and/or widespread, a few intense 4-MODERATE (MDT - strong tornadoes / widespread wind damage / destructive hail, 2 inches plus): Widespread severe storms likely. Long-lived, widespread and intense 5-HIGH (HIGH - tornado outbreak / derecho): Widespread severe storms expected. Long-lived, very widespread and particulary intense.

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What are the Hazards of Severe Weather?

Facebook
Tornadoes, large hail, strong winds, flooding, and lightning are all hazards associated with severe weather. Severe weather has been reported in all 50 states, so no matter where you are, you need to be prepared! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

Twitter
Severe weather can occur anywhere. Wherever you are, be prepared! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady

Understanding Severe Weather Hazards: TORNADO - tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that can destroy buildings and cause significant injury or death. ACTION: Take shelter immediately in a sturdy structure. LARGE HAIL - hail can damage vehicles, crops, buildings, and cause injuries. ACTION: Move indoors away from windows. STRONG WIND - strong wind can knock over trees and damage buildings. ACTION: Move indoors away from windows. HEAVY RAIN - Heavy rain can cause flash flooding. ACTION: Avoid rising creeks and water-covered roads. LIGHTNING - Lightning strikes can cause significant injury or death. ACTION: Move indoors if you hear thunder

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Types of Tornadoes

Facebook
Supercells are not the only types of storms that develop tornadoes. Did you know that there are multiple types of tornadoes that can form? Learn all about them in the infographic below, and visit weather.gov/jetstream/tornado.

Twitter
Did you know that there are multiple types of tornadoes? Visit weather.gov/jetstream/tornado for more info. #WeatherReady

TYPES OF TORNADOES - Supercell Tornadoes: Tornadoes that come from a supercell thunderstorm are the most common, and often the most dangerous. A rotating updraft is a key to the development of a supercell, and eventually a tornado. There are many ideas about how this rotation begins. One way a column of air can begin to rotate is from wind shear – when winds at two different levels above the ground blow at different speeds or in different directions. Once the updraft is rotating and being fed by warm, moist air flowing in at ground level, a tornado can form. Landspouts: Landspouts, narrow, rope-like condensation funnels that form while the thunderstorm cloud is still growing and there is no rotating updraft. The spinning motion originates near the ground. Waterspouts: Waterspouts, similar to landspouts, except they occur over water. Gustnadoes: Gustnadoes, whirls of dust or debris at or near the ground with no condensation funnel, which form along the gust front of a storm. Dust Devils: A well-developed dust whirl; usually of short duration, rendered visible by dust, sand, and debris picked up from the ground. Dust devils are best developed on a hot, calm afternoon with clear skies, when intense surface heating causes large temperature differences in the lowest couple hundred feet of the atmosphere. Fire Whirls: Much like dust devils, the extreme heat of fires create strong updrafts, near the ground that interact with circulations in the lower atmosphere. Fire whirls are usually about 1 to 3 feet wide and 50 to 100 feet tall.

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Tornado Warning Video

Facebook
If your area is under a Tornado Warning, you may only have a few minutes to get to safety. Understand what to do if you’re in a Tornado warning.
youtu.be/_5TiTfuvotc

Twitter
What should you do during a Tornado warning? youtu.be/_5TiTfuvotc #WeatherReady

 

After the Storm

Facebook
If you are impacted by tornado damage, there are a few important things to remember. Listen to local officials, stay up-to-date on the forecast, contact loved ones (to let them know your status), and be mindful of debris (such as glass and nails) and downed power lines. Have a working radio with batteries available, and use flashlights instead of candles to avoid starting fires. weather.gov/safety/tornado-after

Twitter
If you are impacted by tornado damage, here are a few important things to remember. weather.gov/safety/tornado-after #WeatherReady

After the Storm: check the forecast to make sure the threat has ended. Contact loved ones by text or social media. Listen to local officials.

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Wireless Emergency Alerts

Facebook
Tornadoes occur at any time of day or night. The nighttime hours are particularly dangerous because most people are sleeping, and it can be nearly impossible to see an approaching tornado. Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your cell phone so you will be alerted if you’re in the path of a tornado. ready.gov/alerts

Twitter
Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your cell phone. Find out more at ready.gov/alerts #WeatherReady

Wireless emergency alerts can save your life

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NOAA Weather Radio

Facebook
Tornadoes occur at any time of day or night. The nighttime hours are particularly dangerous because most people are sleeping, and it can be nearly impossible to see an approaching tornado. A NOAA Weather Radio can alarm you when a Tornado Warning is issued. Keep the radio near your bed. You may not like getting awakened, but it could save your life. weather.gov/nwr/

Twitter
Get severe weather warnings at night with a @NOAA Weather Radio. weather.gov/nwr/ #WeatherReady

Test your NOAA Weather Radio. It could save your life.

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Make a Plan

Facebook
Make a severe weather plan before you need it! Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place, how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations. To find out how, visit ready.gov/make-a-plan

Twitter
How will you stay in touch during a disaster? Make a plan! ready.gov/make-a-plan #WeatherReady

Pictured: A Family making a Severe Weather Plan

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Tornado Watch vs. Warning Video

Facebook
What’s a watch? What’s a warning? Learn the difference between a tornado Watch and Warning in this short video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3V3HZBs1Y4

Twitter
Learn the difference between a tornado Watch and Warning. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3V3HZBs1Y4 #WeatherReady