Tornadoes: Nature's Most Violent Storms, and How to Prepare

Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms: rotating, funnel-shaped clouds that reach from a thunderstorm down to the ground.

What they can do

• Their whirling winds can reach 300 miles per hour.
• They can strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• They can destroy a neighbourhood in seconds, leaving a path of damage more than a mile wide and 50 miles long.
• They can also come with tropical storms and hurricanes as they move ashore.

Being ready

Nothing guarantees safety in a tornado, but you can take steps to protect yourself. Have a disaster plan: being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety and losses.

Afterwards

If you live through a disaster, it is normal to feel stressed, and you may need help finding ways to cope.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Tornadoes," from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. https://medlineplus.gov/tornadoes.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.