Severe Weather Awareness
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Today we will discuss tornadoes
Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent phenomena. Tornado season typically starts in
the spring in the months of March, April and May. Tornadoes have touched down in the state
in all months with the largest number of tornado related deaths occurring in March. Other
months with the highest numbers of tornado related deaths include April, May and
November. The two peak seasons for tornadoes in Central North Carolina are Spring and
Fall. Violent tornadoes with winds in excess of 200 mph have struck the area as early as late
March as in the case of the 1984 Red Spring Tornado and as late as November as was the
case of 1988 Raleigh Tornado.
Over the past 10 years...nearly 400 tornadoes have struck North Carolina resulting in
numerous deaths, and hundreds of reported injuries. Tornadoes can be a real threat
impacting the area nearly every year. Fortunately, most of tornadoes that strike the area are
relatively weak and short lived. However, even weak tornadoes pack winds of 60 to 110 mph.
In essence a tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the
ground. Tornadoes can occur virtually any time of the year and any time of day or night. Most
tornado deaths and injuries across the state have occurred outdoors, in automobiles, and
mobile homes. When a tornado warning is issued for your area or if you spot a tornado...
seek shelter in a substantial building. The safest place is in an interior bathroom or closet.
Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Stay away from windows as
debris picked up by a tornado can easily shatter a window and enter your house.
If you are caught outdoors...seek shelter in a low spot like a ditch or culvert. You want to get
as low as possible to protect yourself from all of the flying debris in a tornado. The debris
within the tornado is what causes nearly all of the injuries and deaths. If in your car and
threatened by a tornado...abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a substantial structure or
in a ditch. Never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Tornadoes do not travel in straight lines
and it can be very difficult to determine what direction the tornado is moving. Also never seek
shelter from a tornado under an overpass. There is no safe place under and overpass. In fact
seeking shelter under an overpass puts you more at risk from violent winds and flying debris.
The National Weather Service will issue tornado watches when conditions are favorable for
thunderstorms to produce tornadoes. Once a tornado is spotted or detected by radar, the
National Weather Service will issue a tornado warning. Any time a tornado warning is issued
for your area...take action to protect your life as well as the lives of your family.
http://carolinaforecast.com/tornadofaq.html
Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent phenomena. Tornado season typically starts in
the spring in the months of March, April and May. Tornadoes have touched down in the state
in all months with the largest number of tornado related deaths occurring in March. Other
months with the highest numbers of tornado related deaths include April, May and
November. The two peak seasons for tornadoes in Central North Carolina are Spring and
Fall. Violent tornadoes with winds in excess of 200 mph have struck the area as early as late
March as in the case of the 1984 Red Spring Tornado and as late as November as was the
case of 1988 Raleigh Tornado.
Over the past 10 years...nearly 400 tornadoes have struck North Carolina resulting in
numerous deaths, and hundreds of reported injuries. Tornadoes can be a real threat
impacting the area nearly every year. Fortunately, most of tornadoes that strike the area are
relatively weak and short lived. However, even weak tornadoes pack winds of 60 to 110 mph.
In essence a tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the
ground. Tornadoes can occur virtually any time of the year and any time of day or night. Most
tornado deaths and injuries across the state have occurred outdoors, in automobiles, and
mobile homes. When a tornado warning is issued for your area or if you spot a tornado...
seek shelter in a substantial building. The safest place is in an interior bathroom or closet.
Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Stay away from windows as
debris picked up by a tornado can easily shatter a window and enter your house.
If you are caught outdoors...seek shelter in a low spot like a ditch or culvert. You want to get
as low as possible to protect yourself from all of the flying debris in a tornado. The debris
within the tornado is what causes nearly all of the injuries and deaths. If in your car and
threatened by a tornado...abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a substantial structure or
in a ditch. Never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Tornadoes do not travel in straight lines
and it can be very difficult to determine what direction the tornado is moving. Also never seek
shelter from a tornado under an overpass. There is no safe place under and overpass. In fact
seeking shelter under an overpass puts you more at risk from violent winds and flying debris.
The National Weather Service will issue tornado watches when conditions are favorable for
thunderstorms to produce tornadoes. Once a tornado is spotted or detected by radar, the
National Weather Service will issue a tornado warning. Any time a tornado warning is issued
for your area...take action to protect your life as well as the lives of your family.
http://carolinaforecast.com/tornadofaq.html
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