Published On: 04.24.13 | 

By: Natasha Reshetnikova

Tornado disaster heightens safety awareness

tornado

A day that will live in infamy in Alabama, the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak killed nearly 250 and injured more than 2,200 people, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses and caused more than $2 billion in damages.

The 35 monster twisters that hit the state during a 14-hour span knocked out power to more than 412,000 Alabama Power customers. Damages to the company’s transmission and distribution infrastructure reached record proportions, but work by Alabama Power employees and utility crews from 18 other states restored power to all who could receive it within five days.

An EF4 or EF5 tornado with wind speeds up to 260 miles per hour caused massive destruction from Tuscaloosa to Pleasant Grove to Pratt City. Other hard-hit areas included Fultondale, Oneonta, Ragland, Still Waters, Concord, Cahaba Heights and Santuck.

Spring always brings conditions for destructive rains and winds in Alabama. April and May – as well as November – historically are peak tornado months. Customers may use these tips to keep safe during a tornado and to maintain comfort after it passes:

Have a weather radio handy Charge electronic devices and locate a battery-operated NOAA weather radio to listen for tornado watches and warnings.

  • A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.
  • A tornado warning means there is immediate danger of a tornado.

Local radio and TV stations can notify the public about severe weather, but aren’t always available. The NOAA weather radio picks up around-the-clock broadcasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and sounds a loud alarm if the NWS issues a warning.

Practice safety before trouble Find the safest place in the home or business and make sure all family members and co-workers know to go there during a tornado warning. Have regular tornado drills so everyone remembers what to do.

Purchase helmets Experts recommend wearing a bike, motorcycle or construction helmet to prevent head injuries from flying debris, the leading cause of death and severe injury from tornadoes. Motorcycle helmets with a face shield are best.

Know the safest place During a tornado, a house’s safest place is on the lowest level (preferably a basement). Choose a small room without windows such as a closet or bathroom, and stay near the house center to put as many walls as possible between you and a tornado. If your safest room is the first-floor bathroom, grab a mattress or cushions, get in the tub and put the mattress or cushions over your head and body for protection.

In a mobile home Pick a nearby shelter to go to during a severe weather threat. If a tornado warning sounds, leave immediately for your shelter. If there’s no time, lie flat in a ditch or culvert, and cover your head with your arms and hands. Don’t try to flee in a vehicle.

If outdoors Hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building, or lie flat in a ditch or culvert and cover you head with your arms and hands. Never stay in a car during a tornado.

Generator safety Though generators can be a convenience, they can be deadly if used improperly. Be sure to use these safe handling tips:

  • Read and follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions before using a generator.
  • Don’t connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. Connect essential appliances directly to the generator.
  • To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from the house.

After a storm Call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at 1-800-888-APCO (2726) to report an outage or a downed power line. Remember:

  • Stay away from downed lines, and keep children and pets away.
  • Never try to remove tree limbs or anything caught in power lines.
  • Turn off appliances to avoid potential safety hazards when power is restored.