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YahooLiving in the city of Winnipeg, which is also our provincial capital, I was shocked to learn the next day that what looked like a small funnel was in fact an F-5 tornado according to the Fujita-Pearson scale. Extensive damages were reported in a small community located on the outskirts of the city.
I am originally from Sherbrooke, Quebec, which is located in the Appalachian Mountains. As a mountain girl, tornadoes used to be something that occurred in other parts of the world, not before my very own eyes. As fear crept in my heart and soul, thinking of my own family's welfare, I inquired about what to do should a tornado touch down near me.
As a teacher, I was even trained through emergency drills with my students in tow. Although I am aware that tornadoes are less common in the Canadian prairies than in several areas located in the USA, the safety rules are the same. So here are the things that you need to do in the event that a tornado touches down near you.
Move away from the windows! Tornadoes are powerful wind funnels that can destroy anything on their path as easy as 1, 2, 3! Knowing that, stay away from windows as these high winds can break them and cause serious injuries to your loved ones and yourself.
Basements are safe areas. Since basements are areas built directly into the ground, they provide a safe area where you can hide from tornadoes. Tornadoes are known to destroy tall buildings and objects contrary to the ones that are lower to or into the ground. A cellar also offers the same protection.
No basement? What about a small room? In the event that you have no basement, seek refuge in a small room such as a bathroom. Lie down on the floor or in the bathtub. Of course, such a room would preferably be on the first level.
Face down and protect yourself. Lie down on the ground on the ground, face down and protect your head with your hands as debris can fall on you. If you are outside, go as low as you can go--if there is a ditch, go into it!
Where in the room? Always lie down in the middle of the room as objects from the walls and the glass from the windows may fall on you, causing serious injuries. If you can lie down under a bed, you can be protected from debris more easily.
Stay away from closets! Closets may be small rooms, but they are also dangerous places to hide in as they are usually full of stuff that if moved, can crush someone, especially young children.
Stay close to the core of a building! If in a building, go as low and as close to the center of the building as the top and outside areas are more likely to be destroyed by tornadoes than the core of the building.
On the road? Here’s what you should do… if there is a bridge or an overpass, park underneath. If there is a ditch, lie down, face down (unless it is filled with water) and protect your head with your hands.
Near a field? If you are working or traveling by a field, stop, drop and lie down in the field, as close to the ground as possible as it will offer you better protection from flying debris.
Are you on the water? Lie down, face down, in your boat and protect your head. Expect a rough ride and some high waves but this is the best that you can do when on the water.
