How to Identify Tornadoes During a Hurricane

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Hurricanes Can Create Favorable Conditions for Tornadoes

The thought of a tornado touching down in a community during a hurricane is a frightening image. Most people have seen movies or television shows where tornadoes have caused mass destruction and significant property damage. Watching it in action on the big screen or television is disheartening enough, let alone experiencing the situation first-hand. Living through a tornado and seeing the devastating impact on a community is a humbling experience. If you haven't experienced a tornado, it is necessary to understand how to identify them and react appropriately. Your safety and others depend on your ability to identify tornadoes.

Perhaps the most obvious and known characteristics of a tornado is a funnel cloud. During violent hurricanes, meteorologists observe the development of favorable conditions for tornadoes. Classic signs of an impending tornado include dark skies, large hail pieces falling to the ground, and a dark sky that appears green. People who have witnessed actual tornadoes tend to report a similar claim of hearing a loud noise that resembles a train outside the window. The tornado itself is a rotational cloud that forms in the sky and may or may not touch down on the ground. If the rotating funnel cloud loses formation, it can develop again. Strong, structured funnel clouds may be a single cloud formation that may spur off into another one. This is important to remember if the clouds appear to diminish. As they disappear, they can re-emerge without warning.

Understanding the apparent signs of a tornado is essential for safety. Seek immediate shelter in the lowest-lying area of the home or business, such as a basement. Avoid being near windows and glass doors due to shattering. Cover your head with pillows if they are accessible to protect your head and face. You must be aware that everyday household objects fly with the wind if the windows or doors break. These objects can become airborne and cause interior property damage and bodily harm.

Seek immediate shelter when an emergency message occurs. Don't drive your vehicle towards a clear twister to photograph the tornado, as this could be a fatal mistake. Tornadoes cause mass destruction, harm people, destroy property, and wipe miles of communities, housing developments, businesses, farms, and roads. It's crucial to recognize that personal safety is the top priority. Since violent storms, such as hurricanes, can spawn tornadoes with little or no warning, everyone needs to know how to identify tornadoes.

As a storm and water damage restoration leader, SERVPRO of North Tampa / Magdalene has the specialized training and expertise to restore your home to its pre-storm condition. Call today at (813) 694-9082.