Blown away: tornado season approaches north Louisiana

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  High winds, hail and rain are some things accompanying tornados. Despite this severe weather there are ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.

But, what is a tornado? According to the National Weather service a tornado, or twister, is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, tunnel-shaped cloud. It is spawned by a thunderstorm and produced when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, forcing the warm air to rise rapidly.

The installation office of emergency management offers advice on what to do before, during and after a tornado on or off Barksdale.

"One of the best ways to prepare for tornadoes or any severe weather is to have a disaster preparation kit and a plan," said Tech. Sgt. Shawn Jamison, emergency manager. "Another way to prepare is know what the different tornado shelter terms are and what to do during the different alerts."

Although all U.S. states can have tornadoes, 15 states, including Louisiana, are at the greatest risk.

"One way families can help minimize the risks during severe weather is to monitor weather alerts by using apps for their smartphones such as Alert FM," said Jameson. "Another way is to know the difference between sheltering in place and seeking shelter. The main difference is that sheltering in place is for airborne contaminates, while seeking shelter means to find a safe place like a basement, center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor. Most importantly, avoid exterior walls and windows."

Often confused tornado terminology can aid with preparation and recovery from tornadoes. Two important terms to know are tornado watch and tornado warning. During a watch, the weather conditions are favorable for the formation of the storm and during a warning, a tornado has been sighted by weather radar.

"Knowing the difference between the alerts can give people the vital seconds during a severe storm and how they respond," said Jamison. "During a watch everyone is urged to follow weather alerts on television, radio or even their smart phones."

Not only is it important to know what to do during a tornado, the recovery is also important. After a storm, many dangers may be unseen or brought from the high winds and rain.

"One important thing to consider after a tornado is to pay attention to weather alerts, television, radio, the base Giant Voice system and first responders," said Jamison. "There may be other dangers that are caused by the tornado: debris, downed electrical lines, fire and water contaminates can pose a problem for survivors of the storm."

For more information on Tornadoes or how to build a disaster preparation kit visit www.beready.af.mil or www.ready.gov/Tornadoes.