Sure, most people have a good idea what do to when they know a tornado is nearby. The problem is they need a weatherman or a phone to tell them when to do it.
As we all know, not every tornado is preceded by a warning. Heck, many of them aren’t even confirmed until the following day… …after the damage has been done (damage that can include lives lost).
That’s why it’s so important to know how to read the signs a twister’s a-coming…
You can’t stop a tornado from happening, but you can prevent it from killing you and your family by paying close attention to all of the warning signs.
After you become aware of a tornado, you must put life-saving techniques in place immediately such as getting to the lowest possible level and staying away from windows.
To help you reach that point, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top ways you can know that a tornado is near and about to get you!
Photo by NOAA Photo Library
1. The Sky Turns Green
Does the sky have a greenish tint to it? Perhaps it’s even greenish-black?
That’s a very bad sign, indeed. If any portion of the sky begins to turn green, that’s an extremely clear warning that conditions are highly conducive to funnel clouds.
The general rule of thumb is the more green, the more concerned you should be that a tornado is very likely to touch down in your immediate area.
Even if a funnel cloud doesn’t form, the presence of a green sky is indicative of bad storms that have destructive power; think: hail plus some mighty strong winds.
Therefore, it’s wise to initiate your tornado survival plan as soon as you spot green in the sky.
Photo by look_west