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Florida Tornado Drill

Florida Tornado Drill

Preparing Individuals, Families, Neighborhoods, Schools and the Workplace for the next Tornado

Florida's American Red Cross chapters encourage:
  • Individuals
  • Families
  • Neighborhoods
  • Companies
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Churches
  • Schools
  • Government Agencies
to participate in a Florida Tornado Drill at least yearly.

IF A TORNADO STRUCK WOULD YOU BE PREPARED?
WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE?

In Florida, tornadoes strike all too often. Planning and practice are keys to tornado safety. Whether in homes, neighborhoods, schools or the workplace, everyone should have a plan in place for severe weather. The Florida Tornado Drill gives Floridians a chance to realistically test their plans and determine whether or not they are prepared.

Prepare


Clicking on Tornado will assist you in identifying your risk to Tornadoes.

Clicking on Tornado will provide you with preparedness information regarding Tornadoes.

Test Your Preparedness Level

Your Name:
Company / Agency / Neighborhood:
Primary E-Mail Address:
Secondary E-Mail Address:
County:
YES
NO
Do you have a NOAA Weather Radio in your home and / or office to monitor the weather?
Do you have a safe place in your home / office where you can evacuate to during a tornado?
Do you have a Disaster Response Plan?
Do you have a Disaster Supplies Kit?
Do you have an emergency Communications Plan?

      
TORNADO DRILL TIMELINE

You can facilitate a Tornado Drill at your office or in your home at anytime. Florida's 2007 Hazardous Weather Awareness Week presents a perfect time to become better prepared by conducting the following short activity.

Tornado Watch

  • At 9:00AM a Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Services.

  • Designate authority (coordinator). This will be the individual who is responsible for coordinating any activities associated with your Disaster Response Plan.

  • Coordinator should announce Tornado Watch to family members, friends, neighbors and / or co-workers.

    • How will your organization announce a Tornado Watch?

  • Everyone should evaluate tornado vulnerable areas and be prepared to evacuate those areas.

Tornado Warning

  • The National Weather Services issues a Tornado Warning at 9:10AM and you are within the general path of the tornado. - Remember a Tornado Warning
    • is issued when a tornado or the formation of a tornado has been detected..

  • The coordinator will determine the threat. Large, dangerous springtime tornadoes in Florida almost always move from the west to the east. However, smaller tornadoes that form in the midsummer months along the sea breeze can move in almost any direction. The same is true for tornadoes that form as a tropical storm or hurricane approaches the state.

  • Upon determination of immediate threat, the coordinator will give the "take shelter" or "duck and cover" command.

Termination Of Watch And Warning

  • The coordinator will give instructions to return to normal activities.

Wrap Up - After The Drill

  • Following the drill, assess and revise your Disaster Response Plan as needed.white

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