Safety
AROUND YOUR HOME

Tornadoes and home safety

Duane Friend

Every year, homes, buildings, and natural features are damaged or destroyed by tornadoes. Illinois can have tornadoes at any time, but April, May, and June generally have the highest number of occurrences. Afternoon and early evening has historically been the time period of greatest concern. While most tornadoes are relatively weak in intensity, wind speeds can range from 70 to almost 300 miles per hour.

Improved tracking systems such as Doppler radar and volunteer spotters have decreased the numbers of injuries and deaths in Illinois. That should not lull us into thinking we are fully protected. Preparing a tornado plan, being aware of watches and warnings, and constructing or strengthening buildings against wind damage will help keep people from being caught in a dangerous situation.

A tornado plan does not have to be elaborate. Everyone living in the home should know where to gather if a tornado is approaching. This can be a basement, center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor, and away from windows.

Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and warning is equally important. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornado formation. A tornado warning means a tornado has actually been sighted, or that radar is showing an area with strongly circulating winds. Watches and warnings are issued for individual counties.

When severe weather is approaching, listen to the radio or watch for weather updates on TV. If a watch is announced, continue to listen for further updates. Be alert for changing weather conditions.

If you are at home and a tornado warning is announced, go to the designated gathering spot. If you are outside and see a tornado approaching, try to get to a low-lying area, away from power lines or other potential hazards.

After a tornado passes, do not venture into damaged areas where fallen power lines or exposed wires may be present. Continue to listen to the radio for information and instructions.

Residents in mobile homes are at greater risk. Statistics have shown people should seek alternate shelter when a tornado is approaching. The National Weather Service and the American Red Cross recommend residents leave the mobile home and seek shelter in a low-lying area, if no sturdy building or structure is available. Many homes can be reinforced or built to lessen the impact of high winds. Prefabricated metal connectors for studs, rafters, joists and trusses are available. The easiest time to install reinforcements is during construction, adding only one to three percent to construction costs.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has information on design and application measures to decrease the impacts of high winds. The Windstorm Mitigation Manual for Light Frame Construction provides information on designing and framing concepts that can be used to strengthen homes. Dr. David Wickersheimer, a structural engineer in the School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was the author of this publication. For more information on this booklet, contact the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's mitigation staff at (217) 782-8719.

Duane Friend is the natural resources management educator at the Springfield Extension Center. For more information you can write to him at Springfield Extension Center, P.O. Box 8199, Springfield, IL 62791-8199. Telephone him at (217) 782-6515 or send e-mail to friendd@mail.aces.uiuc.edu.

16 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING MAY 1999