Emergency Preparedness Severe Storms Awareness Week: Tornadoes

Resources From the Maryland Department of Emergency Management

Join folks all across Maryland in one giant tornado drill, the Great Maryland Twister Test, at 10:00AM!
*NOTE: An Emergency Alert message will be sent at 10:00AM for the tornado drill.

Quick Facts:

• No Alley Needed
  Think tornadoes only happen in Oklahoma and Kansas? Think again! Maryland’s had nearly 100 in the last ten years, and their frequency is increasing.
• From Inconvenient to Catastrophic
  Tornadoes are each unique, and vary in strength. Some are “only” powerful enough to knock down trees, shut off power, and pull the shingles from your house’s roof. Others are much stronger, and leave a swath of widespread devastation in their wake.
• Practice, Practice, Practice
  Be sure to participate in the statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, April 10th, at 10:00AM to help make sure you and your family are ready! Before the drill, talk with your family about making a tornado plan – you can find an easy guide from our friends at Ready.gov.

Safety Tips:

1. When a Tornado Warning is issued, get to the lowest floor of your current building, quickly! Find a small interior room or hallway with no windows, and stay there. Stay away from windows!
2. ​Mobile homes are extremely vulnerable to tornadoes! If you live in one, be sure to make an emergency plan, and know beforehand where you’ll go for shelter if a Tornado Warning is issued.

Learn even more about tornadoes at MdReady!

Shared by Lori Peck, BS, MT, Garrett County Health Department’s Public Health Emergency Planner