One of the most frightening experiences in life is knowing that a tornado is coming and not having anywhere to go. While you can’t always prevent a tornado, you can ensure that your family knows what to do if one hit. There are many ways to keep kids calm and prepared for a tornado in Biloxi, MS, including telling them about their history with storms and teaching them how to evacuate.
Please take this opportunity to educate your children about why tornadoes form, how they impact buildings and people, and how they’re measured using wind speed readings from anemometers. You should also discuss where it’s safe to hide if you have no other option but to stay outside during a tornado strike. If a storm approaches during the day when school is out for summer break, sit down with your child before heading out into their environment so they have time on their side when something comes up unexpectedly. This does sometimes happen, especially during hurricane season, because of the warm water temperature, which causes more moisture in the air, so thunderstorms form easier, which then causes hurricanes or tropical storms! But there’s nothing wrong with talking about possible outcomes beforehand: being prepared goes hand-in-hand with resilience!
Be Prepared To Abandon Your Car, If Necessary
If you are in your car, pull over and get out of it as soon as possible. If there is no shelter nearby, get out of the vehicle and lie down in a ditch or low-lying area. If you can’t do that, stay inside the car with your seatbelt on until the tornado passes by (unless it’s too dangerous).
If you’re outside when a tornado warning sounds, seek shelter immediately—even if it means running towards a building rather than away from one (if possible).
Know The Difference Between A Tornado Watch And A Tornado Warning
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form. This is an event that may happen in the next few hours, so you should be prepared with an emergency kit. Make sure your family knows what to do if a tornado comes near them and how to take shelter if one hits their area.
Avoid Seeking Shelter Under Bridge Overpasses
If you’re caught in a tornado, avoid seeking shelter under an overpass. Instead, head for your car or another building that’s not made of concrete. This is because the weight of the concrete and other materials used to construct bridges can be so heavy that they actually add pressure to the ground beneath them when wind speeds reach 100 miles per hour. This pressure can cause buildings below the overpass to collapse, trapping people in their cars.
You should also avoid parking under bridges if there are signs that indicate a tornado could be coming through your area. If this is unavoidable—for example, if it’s dark out or you’re on an unfamiliar road—you’ll want to check with local authorities before seeking shelter at all costs!
If You’re Driving, Staying Off The Road Is Your Best Bet
If you are in a car, pull over to a safe place immediately. If you can’t get out of the car safely, stay inside with the doors locked and windows closed. Turn on the radio and listen for weather updates. Put on your seatbelt (if there’s one) unless it will put you at further risk—in which case, it’s OK to remove it!
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you better understand tornadoes in Biloxi, MS. If you have any questions about tornadoes or any other natural disaster, please do not hesitate to reach out!
