A tornado is a violent vortex of strong winds that takes the shape of a funnel under a huge storm. Over a thousand tornados strike the US soil, more than any other country in the world, resulting in loss of lives and millions of dollars in property damage every year. Residents of Tornado Alley experience frequent tornados; you should know its signs to seek protection in the worst-case scenario immediately. Here are five signs of a tornado you should know.
Appearance of a Dark Green Sky
A thunderstorm brings about incredibly dark clouds over the sky, even during midday. They can produce large hail when rain is absent. The hailstones reflect sunlight and can give a greenish hue to the color of the clouds. The presence of large hail in a thunderstorm is a sign of a potential tornado.
Brief Stillness of Air
The wind may become very still for a short while before a tornado strikes. A tornado can appear after a thunderstorm; one should be vigilant for a few minutes after a thunderstorm as a tornado could be about to take form. Avoid going outside until the weather has completely died down. The last thing you want is to face a destructive tornado on your way to your desired destination.
Emergence of a Load Roar
A continuous rumble resembling a freight train’s sound can be heard from in-cloud lightning during a thunderstorm. In-cloud lightning may be a precursor for a tornado. It may be difficult to spot them since they don’t touch the ground and aren’t visible to people until a tornado takes shape. It’s advisable to stay indoors and away from windows.
Falling Debris from Above
A funnel of air may not be visible but strong winds can lift objects such as road signs and even cars. A debris cloud can be spotted from miles away and people should take cover in storm shelters before a tornado emerges.
Formation of a Funnel
The most obvious sign of a tornado is when a vortex of rotating clouds forms a funnel from the sky, gradually making its way to the ground. People on the ground can spot this obvious sign and take cover in a storm shelter. However, it may not always be visible; look for any debris rotating in the sky.
Tornadoes normally occur between March and June, although they may come at any time of the year. It’s advisable to be near a radio for alerts on tornado watches and warnings and have a preparedness plan for when a tornado strikes. A tornado could be miles away but it can lift and hurl debris your way and cause injuries. Don’t wait for a tornado to come toward you but instead seek immediate shelter in a tornado safe room.
Safe Rooms US manufactures and supplies tornado safe rooms in Arlington, Fort Woth, Rowlett and other areas of Texas. Our core team has more than 25 years of experience in the industry. Our safe rooms are impact tested by Texas tech and meet FEMA guidelines, meaning that they can withstand extreme weather conditions, including tornados. Contact us now and we can help protect you and your loved ones.