What Are Tornadoes?

The word Tornado comes from the Spanish word Tronada, meaning thunderstorm. A tornado over water is called a waterspout.

Tornadoes usually last for a few minutes, and rarely last for more than an hour. Tornadoes are cyclonic winds, and they rotate at very high speeds around a low-pressure center.

Tornadoes are smaller than hurricanes and are shorter lasting. A tornado can be as little as 100 feet to as much as 1.5 miles wide. They may travel 200 miles or more, last up to 3 hours, and have wind speeds of more than 250 miles per hour.

A tornado has a very irregular path. When the funnel touches the ground, it may move in a straight line or many loops. It may even double back on itself, hop over places, or form multiple funnels.

Most tornadoes in the northern hemisphere travel from southwest to northeast and spin counterclockwise. In the southern hemisphere, tornadoes spin clockwise.

Where Are Tornadoes?

Most tornadoes form in the Midwestern states. Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas are called Tornado Alley because they have the most tornadoes in the United States. Conditions are just right during spring and early summer for tornadoes to develop in Tornado Alley.

Brochure created by Mrs. Worcester’s Class

Tornado Safety Tips

Should a tornado warning be issued for your county or should threatening conditions develop move to pre-designated shelter. If one is not available follow these common sense tornado safety tips:

In homes or small buildings go to the basement or to an interior room on the lowest floor such as a closet or bathroom. Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself from flying debris.

In schools, hospitals, factories and shopping centers go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses.

In high-rise buildings go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls or glassy areas.

Abandon vehicles and mobile homes. These are where most deaths occur in tornadoes. If you are in either of those locations leave them and go to a substantial structure.

If there is no suitable shelter nearby lie flat in the nearest ditch and use your hands to cover your head.