TORNADO SEASON IS APPROACHING

The Hastings Fire Department will be testing the Tornado Siren, Starting Saturday April 2, 2011 at 1:00 PM and the first Saturday of every month after that through September.

If we are under a Tornado Watch or Warning the Siren will not be tested. If we would go to a Condition Red the Siren will also not be tested.

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornados are possible in your area. A tornado warning will be issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

Some signs of a tornado are:

An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.

Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.

Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

DURING A TORNADO

If at home:

Go at once to a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.

If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

Get away from the windows.

Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.

Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If at work or school:

Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.

Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums,

Cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or

heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

Use arms to protect head and neck.

If outdoors:

If possible, get inside a building.

If shelter is not available or there is no time to get

indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a

strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a car:

Never try to out drive a tornado in a car or truck.

Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.

Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.

If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.

Be aware of the potential for flooding.