guide to tornado preparedness - chicago · ready for a tornado? build a kit home kit: n food n...

Office of Emergency Management

City of Chicago

Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Are youAre youpreparedprepared

Do you haveDo you haveanan

EmergencyEmergencyPlan ?Plan ? and Communications

www.alertchicago.com

Guide To TornadoPreparedness

City of Chicago

Tornados can Occur In CHICAGO!

EEach year, people around theach year, people around thecountry are killed or seriouslycountry are killed or seriouslyinjured by tornados despiteinjured by tornados despiteadvance warning.advance warning.

The following preparednessThe following preparednessinformation, combined withinformation, combined withtimely severe weather alerts,timely severe weather alerts,could help save lives orcould help save lives orprevent injuries.prevent injuries.



EmergencyEmergencyPlan ?Plan ?

City of Chicago



What is a tornado?

Tornado WatchTornado Watch When aWhen a TornadoTornadoWatchWatch is issued by the NationalWeather Service, tornados are possiblein our area. Watch the sky and listen tothe radio or television for moreinformation from Chicago officials.Remain alert for approaching stormsand be prepared to take immediateshelter.

Tornado WarningTornado Warning When aWhen a TornadoTornadoWarningWarning is issued by the National WeatherService, it means that a tornado has beenspotted or indicated by weather radar. Youshould take immediate shelter! Turn on abattery-operated radio or television and waitfor instructions from Chicago officials andlisten for sirens.

nn A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air extending fromA tornado is a violent, rotating column of air extending froma thunderstorm to the ground with winds in excess of 250a thunderstorm to the ground with winds in excess of 250miles per hour.miles per hour.

nn Most tornado damage paths are less than 100 yards wideMost tornado damage paths are less than 100 yards wideand a couple of miles long, but can be up to a mile wideand a couple of miles long, but can be up to a mile wideand more than 60 miles long.and more than 60 miles long.

nn Most tornados occur in the spring, but they can occurMost tornados occur in the spring, but they can occurduring any month of the year.during any month of the year.

Are you familiar with the terms usedto describe a tornado threat?


City of Chicago





Can I Outrun A Tornado?IImagine you re in in yourmagine you re in in yourcar driving on Lake Shorecar driving on Lake ShoreDrive or the Dan RyanDrive or the Dan RyanExpressway on a sunnyExpressway on a sunnyafternoon, when all of aafternoon, when all of asudden, greenish cloudssudden, greenish cloudsstart to form. It begins tostart to form. It begins toget dark, winds suddenlyget dark, winds suddenlystart to increase, large hailstart to increase, large hailfalls and you hear a loudfalls and you hear a loudroar. What do you do?roar. What do you do?

Your instinct tells you toYour instinct tells you tocontinue to drive, when incontinue to drive, when infact you should pull overfact you should pull overand seek immediate shelter.and seek immediate shelter.ButBut nevernever try to outrun atry to outrun atornado while in yourtornado while in yourvehicle.vehicle.

NEVER TRY TO

OUTRUN A TORNADO!


City of Chicago





Alarm All Clear Alarm

The City of Chicago has a warning system toThe City of Chicago has a warning system toalert people who are outdoors when impendingalert people who are outdoors when impendingtornado danger is possible.tornado danger is possible.

There are sirens throughout the city. WhenThere are sirens throughout the city. Whenactivated, the sirens emit a loudactivated, the sirens emit a loud wailing noisewailing noisethat goes up and downthat goes up and down for three minutes.for three minutes.

Individuals who hear the sirens while outdoorsIndividuals who hear the sirens while outdoorsshould seek immediate indoor shelter inside ashould seek immediate indoor shelter inside asturdy building away from windows and glass.sturdy building away from windows and glass.

When the threat has passed, the siren will emitWhen the threat has passed, the siren will emitaa steady wailingsteady wailing signal for three minutes.signal for three minutes.

The city conducts a 20The city conducts a 20--second test tone the firstsecond test tone the firstTuesday of every month at 10 a.m. NoteTuesday of every month at 10 a.m. Note -- TheThetest tone you hear is at lower pitch volume thantest tone you hear is at lower pitch volume thanthe actual alert sound.the actual alert sound.

Are you prepared for a tornado?

nn Build a kit with a portable radio with a weather channel frequenBuild a kit with a portable radio with a weather channel frequency and other items.cy and other items.nn Have a tornado disaster plan for your home, work, school and whiHave a tornado disaster plan for your home, work, school and while on the go.le on the go.nn Learn where to get information about how to prepare and what toLearn where to get information about how to prepare and what to do if a tornado isdo if a tornado is

threatening.threatening.nn Conduct drills that use preConduct drills that use pre--designated safe place so you know where to take coverdesignated safe place so you know where to take cover

when a tornado warning is issued.when a tornado warning is issued.

Click here to hear

To be better prepared:


City of Chicago





http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/ChicagoAlertWeb/resources/wav/TornadoAlarm.wav

http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/ChicagoAlertWeb/resources/wav/TornadoAllClearAlarm.wav

Pre-designate your safe place to take shelter should aTornado Warning be issued.

Learn the protection position (on knees bent forward with fingerslocked behind head).

Establish a reunion location, (should family members getseparated).

Practice drills with family frequently.Keep a list of important phone numbers

>Out of State Contacts>Doctor>Pharmacist>Work Numbers

Get information about which disasters could affectyour area and when they could occur. Where youshould go for safety and how you should prepare.

Make a PlanMake a Plan

Get InformationGet Information

The Protection Position

If you re at home, work, or on-the-go what does it take to beReady for a Tornado?

Build A KitHome Kit:Home Kit:nn FoodFoodnn WaterWaternn Manual can openerManual can openernn Essential medicationsEssential medicationsnn Flashlight with extra batteriesFlashlight with extra batteriesnn Radio with extra batteriesRadio with extra batteriesnn Cash in small denominationsCash in small denominationsnn A copy of your family planA copy of your family plannn Specialty ItemsSpecialty Items

On the Go Kit:On the Go Kit:nn FoodFoodnn Bottle of waterBottle of waternn Comfortable shoesComfortable shoesnn First aid kitFirst aid kitnn Essential medicationsEssential medicationsnn FlashlightFlashlightnn RadioRadionn WhistleWhistlenn Paper, pen, and tapePaper, pen, and tapenn Cash in small denominationsCash in small denominationsnn Recent family photoRecent family photo

nn PrePre--designate your safe place to take shelter shoulddesignate your safe place to take shelter shoulda Tornado Warning be issued.a Tornado Warning be issued.

nn Learn the protection positionLearn the protection position (on knees bent forward with(on knees bent forward withfingers locked behind head).fingers locked behind head).

nn Establish a reunion location (should family membersEstablish a reunion location (should family membersget separated).get separated).

nn Practice drills with family frequently.Practice drills with family frequently.nn Keep a list of important phone numbersKeep a list of important phone numbers

>Out of State Contacts>Out of State Contacts>Doctor>Doctor>Pharmacist>Pharmacist>Work Numbers>Work Numbers

Get information about which disasters could affectyour area and when they could occur. Where youshould go for safety and how you should prepare.





Build A KitHome Kit:FoodWaterManual can openerEssential medicationsFlashlightRadioCash in small denominationsA copy of your family planMedicationsSpecialty Items

On the Go Kit:FoodBottle WaterComfortable ShoesFirst Aid kitEssential medicationsFlashlightRadioWhistlePaper, pen, and tapeCash in small denominationsRecent Family Photo

Pre-designate your safe place to take shelter should aTornado Warning be issued.

Learn the protection position (on knees bent forward with fingerslocked behind head).

Establish a reunion location, (should family members getseparated).

Practice drills with family frequently.Keep a list of important phone numbers

>Out of State Contacts>Doctor>Pharmacist>Work Numbers

nn Get information about which disasters could affectGet information about which disasters could affectyour area when when they could occur. Where youyour area when when they could occur. Where youshould go for safety and how you should prepare.should go for safety and how you should prepare.





Build A KitHome Kit:FoodWaterManual can openerEssential medicationsFlashlightRadioCash in small denominationsA copy of your family planMedicationsSpecialty Items

On the Go Kit:FoodBottle WaterComfortable ShoesFirst Aid kitEssential medicationsFlashlightRadioWhistlePaper, pen, and tapeCash in small denominationsRecent Family Photo

nn Does your family, employer or school have anDoes your family, employer or school have anEmergency Action Plan and conduct frequentEmergency Action Plan and conduct frequentdrills?drills?

nn Have you identified a preHave you identified a pre--designated shelterdesignated shelterlocation (basements offer the best protection)?location (basements offer the best protection)?

nn Do you have a portable radio and extraDo you have a portable radio and extrabatteries with a weather channel in yourbatteries with a weather channel in yourshelter?shelter?

nn Have you learned the protection position?Have you learned the protection position?nn Have you determined an alternate means toHave you determined an alternate means to

notify people in the event of power failurenotify people in the event of power failure(hard(hard--line phone, cell phone, and/or portableline phone, cell phone, and/or portablepublic address system)?public address system)?

nn Have you advised your family that they mayHave you advised your family that they mayneed to stay at work or school beyond regularneed to stay at work or school beyond regularhours until threatening threatening weather hashours until threatening threatening weather haspassed?passed?

nn Have you posted your Emergency EvacuationHave you posted your Emergency EvacuationPlan on each floor that maps out evacuationPlan on each floor that maps out evacuationroutes and shelter areas?routes and shelter areas?

Emergency Evacuation Route

Have you Planned Ahead?


City of Chicago





nn Move to a preMove to a pre--designated safedesignated safeplace such as a basement. If aplace such as a basement. If abasement in not available, movebasement in not available, moveto an interior room or hallwayto an interior room or hallwayon the lowest possible floor.on the lowest possible floor.

nn Stay away from windows.Stay away from windows.nn Brace yourself under a piece ofBrace yourself under a piece of

sturdy furniture, such as asturdy furniture, such as aworkbench or heavy table.workbench or heavy table.

nn Get down in the protectionGet down in the protectionposition.position.

nn Listen to the radio and/orListen to the radio and/ortelevision for further weathertelevision for further weatherinformation and instructionsinformation and instructionsfrom Chicago officials.from Chicago officials.

Do you know what to do when a TornadoWarning is issued or sirens are sounded whileyou re at home, work or school ?


City of Chicago





nn Never remain in a vehicleNever remain in a vehicleduring a tornado.during a tornado.

nn Take immediate cover.Take immediate cover.Move to a sturdy shelter orMove to a sturdy shelter ornearby building.nearby building.

nn If no sturdy shelter orIf no sturdy shelter ornearby building isnearby building isavailable, lie flat in a lowavailable, lie flat in a lowarea.area.

nn Stay clear of any objectsStay clear of any objectsthat may cause harm suchthat may cause harm suchas trees, cars or otheras trees, cars or otherpotential projectiles.potential projectiles.

nn Avoid taking cover inAvoid taking cover inviaducts, bridges or busviaducts, bridges or busshelters.shelters.

nn Be aware of flying debris.Be aware of flying debris.nn Stay out of damagedStay out of damaged

houses and buildings.houses and buildings.

Do you know what to do if you re outside orin your vehicle during a tornado?


City of Chicago






While you can t prevent tornados fromhappening, you can be better prepared forthem. Protect the people who depend onyou by being prepared and informed

Building a Culture of Preparedness

City of Chicago





guide to tornado preparedness - chicago · ready for a tornado? build a kit home kit: n food n...

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