As winter gives way to spring, the potential for tornadoes increases with the warmer weather.  Each person and family needs to be prepared for the likelihood of a tornado hitting their community. Following are suggestions on how to prepare for and what to do after a tornado hits your community:

Before a tornado hits:

1. Learn about the tornado risk for your community.
2. Select a safe place in your home for family members to gather during a tornado.
3. Consider building a tornado safe room in your house.  FEMA has resources on how to construct a room.
4. Consider all options for warnings, radio, TV, NOAA Weather Radio, etc.
5. Practice tornado drills with your family.
6. Develop a disaster supplies kit:

• A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and first aid manual.
• Supply of prescription medications.
• Credit card and cash.
• Personal identification.
• An extra set of car keys.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Signal flare.
• Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go.
• Special needs, for example, diapers or formula, prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions, hearing aid batteries, spare wheelchair battery, spare eyeglasses, or other physical needs.

After a tornado hits:

1.  Remain calm and patient.

• Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings.
• Avoid using candles.
• Look for fire hazards, broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances.
• Check for gas leaks. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Look for electrical system damage; turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
• Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap.
• Clean up spills immediately.This includes medicines, bleach, gasoline, and other flammable liquids.
• Watch for items that may fall from overhead, loose plaster and ceilings.
• Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.

2.    Put your family disaster plan into action.

• Check yourself and family members for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
• Help your neighbors who may require assistance.
• Before adventuring out make sure to wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• After helping your family and neighbor, check your home for damage. Disasters can cause extensive damage, sometimes in places you least expect. Look carefully for any potential hazards.
• Confine or secure your pets. If you have to go to a shelter, make sure the shelter has facilities for pets.
• Contact an out of state family member about the welfare of your family. They in turn can contact other family members and friends about your welfare. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls to get through.
• If you stay in your home, make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off. Be aware that water is often contaminated after major disasters.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately. Getting damaged utilities turned off will prevent further injury or damage.

After recovering from a tornado, become a trained disaster relief volunteer with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Disaster Relief.  Contact Bill Cantrell for details at 501-376-4791 ext 5249.

Bill Cantrell is the Missions Mobilization Coordinator for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Email him if you are interested in Disaster Relief at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .