In preparation for the statewide tornado drill on March 18, the Stafford Fire and Rescue Department urges all citizens to learn how to stay safe during one of these dangerous storms.

“Many injuries and deaths could be prevented if people knew what to do during a tornado,” said Stafford Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown. “They can easily prepare ahead of time by selecting a safe place in the home for the family to gather, assembling an emergency kit and buying a weather alert radio. These simple steps can help you and your family survive these deadly storms.”

Stafford’s Fire and Rescue Department, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, offers the following suggestions to prepare for tornados:

• Pick a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be in your basement, center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor. Use a heavy blanket or sleeping bag for protection from flying debris.

• Assemble a first-aid kit with basic supplies, including prescription medication.

• Stock a battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries, sturdy shoes, work gloves and duct tape.

• Store enough canned food (and a manual can opener) and bottled water to last for at least three days in a secure container.

• Listen to a weather alert radio or local radio and television stations for updates about storm watches and warnings. Learn the names of the counties, cities and towns near your community to help you track the path of the tornado.

• Seal important documents such as insurance papers and credit cards in waterproof bags and keep them with you for the duration of the storm.

• Prepare a list of written instructions on how to turn off your home’s utilities if authorities instruct you to do so.

• Keep a list of important phone numbers for the local department of emergency services, physicians, family and friends.

Authorities issue a tornado watch when conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. Be prepared to take cover if necessary. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar. Warnings are given for specific localities, and include the tornado’s location, direction and speed. When a warning is issued, you should go quickly to the designated safe room in your home or office building. In malls, gymnasiums and most public buildings, take shelter in restrooms, which are usually made of concrete block.

If you are in your vehicle or caught outdoors, seek shelter inside a sturdy building. A culvert or ditch can provide protection if there is no structure nearby – lie down flat and cover your head with your hands. Highway overpasses and bridges do not offer protection from flying debris. Never remain in a mobile home during a tornado. Mobile homes are extremely unsafe during tornadoes or severe storms.

When the tornado passes, watch out for fallen power lines and stay away from damaged areas. Listen to local radio stations for updates and instructions from authorities. Inspect your home for damage using a flashlight rather than candles, which can cause fires or ignite gas.

For more information about preparing for tornadoes or any type of violent weather, visit the Fire and Rescue Department at the Ford T. Humphrey Building, located at 1225 Courthouse Road, or call (540) 658-7200. Information is also available on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Web site at http://www.vdes.state.va.us/.

Stafford residents can also register for emergency text alerts from Stafford’s public safety personnel at www.staffordalert.com. Stafford’s public safety officials use this system to send emergency alerts to cell phones, e-mail or other electronic devices.  Individuals can select which types of alerts they’d like to receive, including weather information, and registered users will receive those within seconds after they are issued by Stafford Fire and Rescue or the Emergency Communications Center. The County provides the service free of charge, but individuals should check with their cell phone providers about costs to receive text messages.

Stafford Alert was used by Stafford Fire and Rescue staff during recent storms in the region. In fact, a text alert about a tornado watch was sent to all recipients just seconds after the National Weather Service issued their notice on the watch.

“Emergencies occur with very little notice, and registering for Stafford Alert ensures individuals receive vital emergency notifications quickly,” Brown said. “Prior planning can save lives.”

< March 2008 news index