Now is the time to prepare for tornado season Published March 21, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Brittany Krupa 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Violent. Devastating. Disastrous. These are a few of the powerful words used to describe the effects of tornadoes. These words are common, chiefly regarding the year 2007, which was the deadliest for tornadoes in the United States since 1999. Last year, 1298 tornadoes were reported, with 80 confirmed fatalities. Of those 80 confirmed fatalities, two of them occurred in or near the Clovis, N.M., area. On March 23, 2007, emergency warning sirens were activated and Emergency Alert System warnings sounded in advance of a tornado just twenty minutes before its arrival. The tornado was categorized as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds gusting up to 112 mph. Earlier that day, a tornado struck a trailer park in the neighboring town of Logan, N.M., destroying about 30 homes and injuring one person. A Portales, N.M., dairy was also hit by the raging storm and hundreds of cattle killed. Weather officials estimated that 16 tornadoes swept through the Texas-New Mexico border area during the late afternoon and into the evening of March 23. Clovis residents awoke to flattened homes and businesses, damaged vehicles, uprooted trees, and miles of scattered debris by the previous night's tempest. Officials said much of the city lost power when the storm hit. Approximately 1,000 homes remained without power 24 hours later. The storm caused an estimated $16.5 million in insured losses, which included the costs of replacement and repair of homes as well as vehicle damage. Although a tornado can develop at any time of the year, our tornado "season" occurs primarily from March through July. Tornadoes form inside severe thunderstorms when the upper portion of the storm starts to rotate. Warm, moist air trapped underneath a layer of cold, dry air provides the fuel for rapid, severe storm formation. When the warm air breaks through the upper "lid," severe thunderstorms can form in less than 30 minutes. As the moist air rises - sometimes 50,000 feet into the air - it cools, forming clouds and thunderstorms. If conditions are right, the rapidly rising air will spin around an upper level, slowly rotating vortex or "funnel," at speeds sometimes greater than 250 mph. When the upper rotating funnel makes contact with the ground, it is called a tornado. Prepare for a catastrophe Families should prepare themselves for disasters, which is why it is vital to pay special attention to preparation during the months when tornadoes are most prominent. And based on the last year's active tornado season, residents of the Clovis and Portales communities should be more aware of the very real threat posed by tornados. An increase in knowledge regarding "Tornado Alley's" hazards will vastly better the chance of survival. Preparing a home disaster/tornado plan, assembling a disaster supplies kit, being able to recognize imminent disaster signals, and knowing various sheltering methods are all examples of behavior that will aid in keeping you and family members safe. Preparing for a tornado: 1. The safest place to be when a tornado hits is inside. 2. Identify a safe spot in your house where you can take cover. Basements are the best choice because they are below ground. Other options include closets, bathrooms or hallways on the first floor, as long as they are away from exterior doors and windows. 3. Make sure your home is insured. 4. During a tornado watch, store your car in a garage or under a carport to protect it from hail or flying debris. 5. Bring outdoor furniture and all yard equipment into the house or garage. Outside items are potential hazards, as debris could easily injure people or physically damage other things when blown around. 6. Know what kind of warning signals and/or sirens are used in your community and what they mean. 7. Practice a tornado drill with your family to monitor and refine your response capabilities. 8. Prepare supplies in a waterproof container for an emergency, including candles, matches, and a battery-operated radio. 9. Many injuries or deaths result from tornadoes that cause buildings to collapse. If you are building a new house, include a "safe room," which is built using reinforced concrete or wood and steel walls that are anchored by a concrete slab on the floor. Disaster Supplies Kit (Recommended Items) - Candles - Blankets - Waterproof matches - Flashlight - Battery radios - Extra batteries - Waterproof boxes for valuables - First aid kits - Canned foods - Can openers - At least three gallons of water per person - Cell phones - Protective clothing - Cell phone batteries - Emergency phone numbers/contacts - Essential medications One vital step in preparing for a tornado is recognizing local tornado warnings and watches. When weather appears threatening listen to your local radio and TV stations for updates on storm information and know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning. - A Tornado Watch means weather conditions are favorable for possible tornado formation in your area. - A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or has been indicated by Doppler Weather Radar and may be headed for your area. Take immediate cover. When a Tornado Watch is issued, listen to local radio and TV stations for further updates about changing weather conditions. Some tell-tale signs that a tornado is approaching are: 1) A strong persistent rotation in the cloud base 2) Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm (the proverbial "calm before the storm"), or a fast, intense wind shift. 3) A loud continuous roar or rumble, kind of similar to the sound of a freight train. 4) Small, bright blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (these are usually from transformers exploding and electrical lines breaking). 5) Sky turning a greenish black color. 6) Debris falling from the sky. When a Tornado Warning is issued, take the following steps: If in your home: A small interior room offers the best protection. Contrary to popular belief, do not open your doors and windows. You may risk being injured by broken glass or other flying debris. If at work or school: Follow directions of the building manager or school officials. Go to the lowest floor level and get as far away from exterior windows and doors as possible. Take shelter below sturdy furniture such as a desks or workbenches. Never use elevators because if the power fails, you could be stranded. If outdoors: Seek the nearest shelter available. If there is no shelter available, find a ditch or other low-lying area, lay down, and cover your head with your hands and arms. If in a vehicle: Either leave the vehicle and seek out sturdy shelter or drive out of the tornado's path. When in a traffic jam or at close range with the tornado, your only option may be parking safely and evacuating the vehicle to seek shelter. If in an open plains area, you more than likely will have time to drive out of its path. However, note that if the tornado appears to stay in the same place or is growing larger, exit the vehicle and hunker down. If in mobile homes: When in a mobile home, you are not safe during a tornado. While tornados are not attracted to mobile homes, as many believe, they are tremendously prone to destruction. Due to their structure, mobile homes are one of the worst possible shelters. Have a designated area/shelter to go to when a Tornado Watch is issued. Don't wait for the Tornado Warning to exit your mobile home. Tornado season is nearing. Knowing where to seek shelter is a necessity in and around Clovis. Last year's storms should be the eye-opener that it is essential to prepare for this severe-weather season. Without warning, last year's circumstances could easily happen again. Now is the time to get ready.