Preparing for storms in the forecast? Although we are fortunate not to have the nor’easters they deal with in the North, the constant Midwest tornado warnings or the usual hurricane preparedness in the Gulf States, in recent years tornadoes have become a reality for the residents. These supercell storms usually arise with few warnings, and preparing in advance for the need is the key to keeping your family safe.
Storms are strong and often unpredictable, but there are a few things you can do now to increase your chances of getting out of a storm unscathed.
For tips on keeping your pets safe during a storm, go to Wagging Around Greenville.
Things to do before the storm
Sign up now to receive alerts from local emergency agencies
Our local emergency management agencies have a way for you to apply to be notified as soon as an emergency arises. These alerts include not only weather alerts, but things like boiling water warnings and more.
The time to sign up for these alerts is before an emergency happens.
Note the severe weather seasons and the language used
Tornadoes
Although the action of tornadics can happen at any time in South Carolina, spring is when they occur most often. You can track all tornado warnings through the National Weather Service website.
Important tornado terms
Tornado Watch
It means just that. You need to be vigilant and keep a watch on the sky if you are out, because there are conditions for a sudden rotation.
Tornado warning
This means that there was a tornadic action located on the ground or on the radar, and perhaps it is no longer a MAYBE situation.
Emergency Tornado
As quickly as a tornado can form, the chance of this type of alert being triggered is rare. If you happen to receive this type of alert, you should IMMEDIATELY protect yourself.
The Fujita Scale
You will hear the term “F- #” or “EF- #” being used. Most of the time, after a storm, because, unlike hurricanes, the strength of the tornado is measured by the destruction it causes.
Fujita 0 / 65-85 mph winds – only minor damage suffered
Fujita 1 / 86-110 mph winds – sustained moderate damage
Fujita 2 / 111-135 mph winds – considerable damage suffered
Fujita winds 3 / 136-165 mph – severe damage suffered
Fujita winds 4 / 166-200 mph – devastating damage suffered
Fujita winds 5 / 200+ mph – this is the most severe of the storms with the inevitable loss of life and complete devastation left in its path.
Hurricanes
The hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1st to November 30th each year. The National Hurricane Center is responsible for tracking storms and collecting data after they occur.
Important terms for hurricanes
Tropical Storm Alert
This is the Jr. version of a hurricane, with sustained winds of 39-73 mph.
Hurricane Watch
This is issued when severe storm conditions are expected in the next 2-3 days.
Hurricane warning
This is issued for an area when winds greater than 74 mph can be expected in the next 24 hours.
Hurricane Eye
This is the center of the storm and the quietest part. Normally, the more defined the central orifice, the greater the force of a storm. This usually occurs when people are caught off guard, thinking that the storm has passed completely.
Feeding Bands
These are the “arms” that come out of the eye of the storm. They can be long-range and vary in intensity from the rest of the storm.
Locate and protect possible projectiles before a storm
Don’t wait until you hear the weather siren ring to try to find out what items in your yard may pose a risk. Anything that is not attached to the ground should be taken to a garage, shed, space to crawl or protected in the best possible way.
- Trampolines
It should be disassembled and stored, if possible, or turned over to be level with the ground and secured. This will prevent damage and help prevent them from getting in the air. - Kayaks and canoes
These bullet-shaped vessels are designed to cross the water, but the same design makes them a dangerous threat if sucked in by 100 MPH winds. Bring them to a garage, shed or roof, if possible. Ours will be stored in our level storage shed that is on top of blocks at one end. - Shade Patio Shelters / Screen Tents
I lost two different shelter tents in the storms. One happened when I was not at home, and the other was a surprise storm that took a shelter out of my hands while I remained (ignorantly) in the rain trying in vain to save it. If you have a shelter, umbrella or other structure, attach the structure to the floor, if possible, and remove the fabric parts from the tent. - Swing sets / playground structures
Remove swings, see-saws and any other removable features.
Dealing with Bradford Pear Trees Before a storm
It is never a bad time to cut a Bradford tree. In fact, the State Extension Service put a reward for that tree at the head of your garden. If you can safely bring it down before a storm, do it. Otherwise, take steps to protect your home and vehicles from the tree in the meantime. The tree’s “Y” structure makes it prone to splitting and damaging things in its path. This can happen in perfect weather and, without warning, add strong winds and you have a recipe that can cost expensive repairs at home or in the car. If it is not possible to trim or cut the tree before a storm, make sure your vehicles are far from the earth’s radius.
South Carolina shelters in the region during a storm
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on shelters in the area before, during and after a storm, check the South Carolina Emergency Division website
Things you can do during the storm to protect your family
Seek shelter during the storm
- Basements are the preferred places to seek shelter, at the tip below the ground, if it is a walking style.
- Internal rooms on the lower level are the second best option if a hold is not available. Preferably a room without a window.
- Top level rooms It will NOT protect you during an extreme weather event, such as a tornado. The opposite is true, of course, if there is a flood.
Prepare for the possibility of boredom and hunger during the storm
Carry iPads, complete card games and other things that will keep your kids calm and entertained during an extended stay in a tight space.
Snacks!
Have plenty of snacks on hand to keep someone from getting hungry! Nothing is more stressful than sitting in a tight space, with Mother Nature knocking on your door and children complaining that they are bored or hungry. Those Little Debbie cakes or other snacks you hide (yes, we know …) – now is the time to use this as your superpower.
Stay indoors and away from windows during a storm
I know this sounds redundant, but it is easy to be attracted to the window or door with curiosity. It is also important to be dressed in clothes and shoes suitable for the outdoor climate, if you have to escape from a structure. If you have bicycle helmets, keep them close at hand. In the case of a tornado, they can protect your head and that of your children from debris.
Two employees of the Ashley HomeStore in Spartanburg learned a valuable lesson in 2020 when they tried to keep the glass doors closed. His debut video was national news; fortunately, it was just a precautionary story.
Keeping babies and children safe during a storm
Explaining to a baby or young child that you have to hide from mother nature is not the easiest thing to do. They are not built to be contained in a small shelter for long periods of time, and this can be stressful, in an already stressful situation. If you have children who are comfortable in their car seats, use this to your advantage. After all, a car seat is made to protect them.
If you are housed in a room with a crib, you can pull the mattress out of the crib, place the child in the crib, and then place the mattress diagonally across the top to protect the child from debris. This is what day care centers are instructed to do by DSS.
Stay tuned to local information sources during the storm
We are fortunate to have a National Weather Service location in the GSP in the state. This means that the information in our area comes from within our area; it doesn’t get more “in real time” than that. Ensuring that your mobile devices, energy banks and weather radios are fully charged is a good way to keep you connected to reliable sources of news.
Things you can do after the storm to protect your family
Continue to monitor emergency monitoring broadcasts after a storm
After the storm has passed, it is important to continue to monitor the situation through the reliable sources listed above. Flash floods and other events often occur after a storm has passed and can create additional risks for residents.
Do not explore immediately after a severe weather event
By nature, humans are curious creatures. We want to see what remains in the path of a destructive storm, especially in the age of social media. Emergency response agencies are constantly reminding people that even after the storm has passed, there are still dangers.
Downed power lines, storms and destroyed roads can create rescue situations that should pull the emergency response and first aid teams away from other storm-related problems. If the damage is severe, it will still be there several days after the storm, when conditions are safer to travel.
What storm safety tips should we add to our list?