Did you or someone you know live in the Rutherford County, TN area in April of 2009?
If so, then you remember the terrible series of tornados that ripped Murfreesboro apart leaving more than 250 home damaged or completely destroyed. A mother and daughter lost their lives, and many many others suffered injuries. The time following such a natural disaster can be stressful and confusing about how to proceed and what to do next. I hope the following collections of tips will be a useful and valuable literary resource.
Surviving a Tornado
Tornadoes have been recorded in every state and have been known to occur in every month of the year. Typically tornadoes, occur from early spring through late summer in the United States. The average number of tornadoes that occur every year in the United States is 1,000. The most recorded in one year was in 2004, where 1,884 were recorded. Out of the average 1,000 that occur every year, 2% of those are in the EF4/ EF5 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) range. Most tornadoes occur between four and 9 PM. The highest wind speed ever recorded from a tornado is 318 MPH recorded on May 3 1999 near Bridge Creek/Moore, Oklahoma. Wind speeds vary during a tornado and an F1 tornado can produce wind speeds up to 112 while an F5 can produce winds in excess of 300 MPH (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) .
Preparations
Tornadoes cannot necessarily be predicted. Conditions that set the stage for a tornado can be however. Certain weather conditions indicate the possibility of a tornado occurring. Through experience, meteorologists can say with some certainty a tornado is likely to occur if the weather conditions are right. Never gamble, always assume one will occur and take immediate steps.
You should know where any community storm shelters are located. If possible, drive the route as often as possible to the shelter, so there is no hesitation when evacuating to the shelter in the minutes leading up a possible tornado. Seconds count and any hesitation on which direction to travel can be dangerous. If shelters are not available in your community, you must have a so-called safe room in your home. The safe room can be the basement, closet or bathroom that does not have an outside wall. Getting in the bathtub and pulling mattresses over you can save your life. If you must endure the storm without the benefit of a safe room never gather next to an outside wall. Cover yourself with a mattress, heavy blanket or anything that will provide you protection. Avoid fireplaces, windows and do not huddle under any skylights.
Note: It is safer in some cases, to be outside in a drainage ditch or in a shallow depression, than to be inside of a structure during a tornado.
If your basement is your safe room, make sure your emergency supplies are located there. Surviving the tornado itself is one thing, you must also sustain life after the storm has passed. You will not have electricity, water or gas. If possible, shut the main gas supply off before escaping to the safe room. Cell phones and Internet service may be interrupted, as well.
Emergency Essentials Needed to Survive in the days After
· First Aid Kit Include A Suture Kit For Stitching Up Wounds-If You Feel Confident In Doing So, Include Betadine As A Topical Antiseptic
· Solar Heat Blankets
· Ax For Evacuation
· 10 Pound Sledge Hammer-For Evacuation
· 3 To 5 Day Supply Of Non-Perishable Foods Meals Ready To Eat (MREs) Each MRE Is Nutritionally Adequate
· 3 To 5 Day Supply Of Drinking Water-Each Person Needs One Gallon Daily
· Rain Ponchos-One For Each Person Can Be Used As Emergency Shelter
· Waterproof Tarps-Can Be Used As Temporary Shelters
· Matches And Alternative Fire Starting Tools Such As A Magnesium Stick
· Multi-Tool Knife
· Heavy Fixed Bladed Knife
· Nylon Rope 50 Feet
· Sturdy Shoes
· Work Gloves
· Battery Operated Lights
· Candles For Illumination
· Canned Cooking Gel (Sterno)
· One-Quart Canteens-One For Each Person
· Two Vials Of 2% Liquid Iodine For Water Purification
· One Gallon Of Common Household Bleach Unscented For Water Purification
· Medicine Dropper For Measuring Bleach
· Coffee Filters For Water Filtration
· Assorted Cooking Utensils Include A Pot And Pan
· Battery Operated Radio
Water from your faucets after the storm has passed may very well be contaminated. If possible, draw as much as you can into containers rated safe for drinking water. Fill up any bathtubs, as well, for flushing toilets, toilets will self flush if you pour water directly into the bowl. Typically, most toilets today require up to 1.6 gallons for flushing. Do not mix any tap water in with any emergency supplies. Your tap water must first be purified by boiling for three minutes, or chemical treatment using bleach or 2% liquid iodine.
Purify Water Using 2% Liquid Iodine
Collect the tap water in one container and filter into a clean one for purification. The ratio is based on quarts. Simple math will convert the number of drops needed for one and five gallon containers. The container used to collect the water may very well have contaminates around the drink line. Once in a clean one-quart container you will add five (5) drops of iodine. Seal and shake the container well and allow 30 minutes before drinking. Never drink from the container used to collect tap water until that container has been submerged in boiling water for at least one minute.
Purify Water Using Common Household Bleach
Filter from one container into another as described above. The ratio is two (2) drops of bleach per one-quart of water. Seal and shake the container well and allow 30 minutes before drinking. You should detect a slight chlorine smell after 30 minutes. Heavily contaminated water will reduce the chlorine's effectiveness, therefore; if you do not detect a chlorine smell, add two (2) additional drops per quart and wait 60 minutes before drinking. Never exceed four (4) drops per quart.
During an average day, most people do not think about dehydration. During a crisis, dehydration is a very real threat, and it is deadly. Three days without proper hydration and you will be incapacitated, and if not treated immediately...dehydration leads to organ and heart failure. Water is crucial, and it must be safe to drink. You can survive up to three weeks without food, but in the hot days of summer, you cannot survive longer than three days without water.
Note: The purification and filtration methods described can be used to purify any water source that has not been contaminated by poisons or toxins. Water sources that can be used for drinking water once purified include swimming pools, hot tubs, backyard ponds, rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. Always filter the water using the two-container method.
The average number of deaths every year caused by tornadoes is 60 on average. Deaths occur from flying debris, homes and structure collapse and downed power lines. Based on the number of people affected and the number of tornadoes that occur every year, your chances of survival are extremely high. Do not panic, work through any problem with a level head and prepare now. The days after can be the hardest, because of power disruptions, lack of water and destroyed possessions and homes. Know what to do and have the emergency essentials on hand at all times. People panic because they simply do not know what to do next. Practice, knowledge and training will quell panic and allow you to carry on during any disaster.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and begin right now.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2012, from http://www.noaa.gov/
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| Amy L. Prince Owner/Agent Insurance Brokers of America, Inc. www.wecovertn.com weloveinsurance@gmail.com 615-410-2281 |
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