Tornadoes have struck every US state including Alaska and Hawaii and, are the most violent storms in nature’s arsenal.  Winds can reach over 300 mph and the storms are often accompanied by damaging hail and lightning. 

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. Air moves very rapidly upward around a tornado center. This distinguishes tornadoes from microbursts, which often do tornado-like damage and can be mistaken for tornadoes. In contrast to the upward rush of air in a tornado, air blasts rapidly downward from thunderstorms to create microbursts. 

Tornado strength is measured by the "Fujita Scale." (see the sidebar) Named after its creator, Tetsuya Theodore Fujita, it categorizes tornado severity based on damage observed, not recorded wind speeds. Wind speeds referred to in this scale are estimates that are intended to represent the observed damage.

When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.

Before a Tornado: How to Plan
 Write a disaster plan.
 
 Build your disaster kit.
 
 Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.
 
 Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat.
 
 Discuss with family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning." (see the sidebar)
 

What to Do During a Tornado

If at home:

 If you have a tornado safe room or engineered shelter go there immediately.
 
 Go at once to a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.
 
 If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
 
 Get away from the windows.
 
 Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
 
 Use arms to protect head and neck.
 
 If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.
 

If at work or school:

 Go to the area designated in your tornado plan.
 
 Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
 
 Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
 
 Use arms to protect head and neck. 
 

If outdoors:

 If possible, get inside a building.
 
 If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
 
 Use arms to protect head and neck.
 

If in a car:

 Never try to out-drive a tornado in a car or truck.
 
 Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
 
 If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
 

After a Tornado

 Help injured or trapped persons.
 
 Give first aid when appropriate.
 
 Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
 
 Call for help.
 
 If you smell gas, do not turn on any appliances or switches. This includes using phones, flashlights or a cell phone.
 
 Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
 
 Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
 
 Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
 
 Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
 
 Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents--for insurance purposes.