I’ve been through quite a few tornadoes, hurricanes too for that matter. While a tornado can be a horrific experience, what is more frightening is the potential for injury and death during the “Let’s go out and look” phase of a tornado. That phase comes right after the debris stops flying.
I am reminded of the HUGE numbers of folks that wandered about after the Kearney tornado. I remember seeing girls in flip-flops and shorts, folks in bare feet and even children walking around gawking at the damage.
While injuries and deaths occur from tornadoes all the time, a study of injuries after a tornado in Marion, Illinois, showed that 50 percent of the tornado-related injuries were suffered during rescue attempts, cleanup, and other post-tornado activities.
Wanna know the big reasons why people are hurt AFTER a tornado? Believe it or not, one third of the injuries are from stepping on nails!
As you can imagine, other injuries come from falling objects, tree limbs and even vehicles. Don’t rule out the great dangers from fallen power lines, exposed wiring and fire or explosions.
We are groomed every day by the media to get excited about tornadoes. Nightly we watch shows about storm chasing and the power of weather. This incites a very real and very dangerous curiosity in each of us that, when mixed with adrenaline, can overcome any common sense.
Today we are spending time in our tracking center assessing the possibilities of tornadoes later this week. They may come and they may not, but one thing is for certain; if not this week, they’ll be here soon. Should a tornado strike your farm or home, your town or city, make sure you use common sense and remember that the dangers do not end when the storm is over.
Make sure you have a COMPLETE disaster kit and that if you venture outdoors, you dress appropriately, stay out of the way of response vehicles, and keep your family from becoming yet another reason why rescuers are shorthanded.
Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Get medical assistance immediately. If someone has stopped breathing, begin CPR if you are trained to do so. Stop a bleeding injury by applying direct pressure to the wound. Have any puncture wound evaluated by a physician. If you are trapped, try to attract attention to your location.
Here are some safety precautions that could help you avoid injury after a tornado:
· Continue to monitor your battery-powered radio or television for emergency information. Here at KRVN, we will do our best to stay on the air and keep you updated as to when it is safe to go out, where the damage is, and where to find help.
· Be careful when entering any structure that has been damaged.
· Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves, and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
· Be aware of hazards from exposed nails and broken glass.
· Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.
· Use battery-powered lanterns, if possible, rather than candles to light homes without electrical power. If you use candles, make sure they are in safe holders away from curtains, paper, wood, or other flammable items. Never leave a candle burning when you are out of the room.
· Never use generators, pressure washers, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper—or even outside near an open window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide (CO)—an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you breathe it—from these sources can build up in your home, garage, or camper and poison the people and animals inside. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.
· Hang up displaced telephone receivers that may have been knocked off by the tornado, but stay off the telephone, except to report an emergency.
· Cooperate fully with public safety officials.
· Respond to requests for volunteer assistance by police, fire fighters, emergency management, and relief organizations, but do not go into damaged areas unless assistance has been requested. Your presence could hamper relief efforts, and you could endanger yourself.
· After a tornado, be aware of possible structural, electrical, or gas-leak hazards in your home. Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.
· In general, if you suspect any damage to your home, shut off electrical power, natural gas, and propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions.
· If it is dark when you are inspecting your home, use a flashlight rather than a candle or torch to avoid the risk of fire or explosion in a damaged home.
· If you see frayed wiring or sparks, or if there is an odor of something burning, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker if you have not done so already.
· If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company, the police or fire departments, or State Fire Marshal’s office, and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to your house until you are told it is safe to do so.
· During clean up, wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves, and gloves.
· Learn proper safety procedures and operating instructions before operating any gas-powered or electric-powered saws or tools.
· Clean up spilled medicines, drugs, flammable liquids, and other potentially hazardous materials.
Don’t forget that the storm can last for a long time in the minds and hearts of little ones. Trauma is handled differently by different people and our most vulnerable population is our children. After a tornado, children may be afraid the storm will come back again and they will be injured or left alone. Children may even interpret disasters as punishment for real or imagined misdeeds. Use your time with your children to teach them the science behind tornadoes and make sure they understand its power and the dangers, but also that it is a natural event.
Children will be less likely to experience prolonged fear or anxiety if they know what to expect after a tornado. Here are some suggestions:
· Talk about your own experiences with severe storms, or read aloud a book about tornadoes.
· Encourage your child to express feelings of fear. Listen carefully and show understanding.
· Offer reassurance. Tell your child that the situation is not permanent, and provide physical reassurance through time spent together and displays of affection.
· Include your child in clean-up activities. Make sure this is done SAFELY. It is comforting to children to watch the household begin to return to normal and to have a job to do.
We’re hoping that this week’s storms will bring nothing but rain and misty mornings, but as you know…it’s Nebraska and when we go, we go BIG. Be careful, use common sense and keep listening to KRVN Radio for the lastest updates on your weather situation.
