Reviewing tornado safety and its importance

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — On July 10, 2024, the National Weather Service in Buffalo issued 18 tornado warnings in a single day. Now, while tornadoes are relatively rare occurrence for Western New York, we still should take the time to review safety tips and guidelines, such as the difference between a watch and warning and the safest place you can be when a tornado warning is issued.

Tornado Watch, Tornado Warning and Tornado Emergency: What’s the difference?

The National Weather Service (NWS) has three key alerts to watch out for when tornadoes are a possibility: a watch, warning and emergency. Let’s break them down, according to the NWS:

• Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area, Review and discuss your emergency plans, take inventory of your supplies and check your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
• Tornado Warning: Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest subsubtainal shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local weather office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
• Tornado Emergency: Seek Shelter Immediately! A tornado emergency is the National Weather Service’s highest alert level. It is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. There is a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed. Immediately seek shelter in the safest location possible. Call friends and family who are within the watch area to ensure that they are aware of the situation. Of you see a tornado approaching, do not attempt to outrun it in a vehicle; shelter in place. Once safe, be sure to monitor your local forecast for the latest updates.

Now, while a tornado emergency is extremely rare, watches and warnings, of any kind, can sometimes be confusing. When thinking about watches and warnings, think taco! The basic concept of thinking about tacos when a watch/warning is issued is:

• “Taco” watch: The ingredients are in place to make tacos, but have not been made yet.
• “Taco” warning: The tacos are ready to eat now!

The ingredients refer to the conditions being favorable for severe weather, but not all put together. When the taco is assembled, it refers to the conditions lining up for severe weather to occur.

Where to seek shelter

So, you’re at home and you just got a text on your phone that a tornado warning has been issued for your area. The best place you want to seek shelter are the rooms marked in green in the graphic below. You would want to avoid seeking shelter in the rooms marked in red. You also want to make sure that you avoid windows, doors and outside walls. Make sure to cover yourself with blankets or mattresses for protection and to grab a pair of shoes in the event you have to walk through debris once the event is over. Now, the best place to be during a tornado warning is a basement. Now, not all homes come with basements. So, if you are on of those people that do not have a basement, you can seek shelter in the rooms on the first floor marked in green.

Not everyone lives in a house, especially around the city of Rochester. Let’s talk about the safest place you can be in an apartment complex when a tornado warning is issued. The ideal spot you would want to be is the lowest floor of the complex. Bottom floor bathrooms, laundry rooms and garages are the best place you can be. Now, if that is not feasible, the next best place you can be is as inward as possible. You want to make sure there as many walls in between you and the outside as possible. And, just like if you were in a house, you also want to make sure that you are protecting yourself. You can use blankets, pillows or even a bike helmet to shield yourself from possible debris.

Finding your safest spot in your home is your number one priority when a tornado warning is issued. And hopefully, the next time one of these warnings are issued, you will be prepared.

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