Tornado preparedness guide: We asked extreme weather experts what to do (and not do) during a tornado

Article content

Ontario hasn’t yet taken away the title of Tornado Alley from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. But when the next one comes here, Ottawans need to know how to react.

Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, answered our questions about how to stay safe during a tornado.

Article content

Article content

How can you prepare for a tornado before it hits?

With the number of extreme events increasing, it’s vital to be as prepared as possible.

Coulson says that “situational awareness” has become a necessary reality for everyone in dealing with the elements.

“One of the key pieces of advice is to be weather aware ahead of time, being aware of the potential for significant weather a few hours in advance,” Coulson said.

“Especially at this time of year, when many people are outdoors in Ontario, watching their children play sports, or at picnics or at campsites, where you are more vulnerable.”

Coulson advises all Canadians to download the federal government’s WeatherCan app, which provides weather alert updates and the location of developing storms.

Every minute counts in escaping from life-threatening situations. At the very least, being forewarned allows those in potential danger to put a plan in place to handle a crisis.

What do you do if you are outside during a tornado? 

Being trapped on golf courses — or open fields or open water in general — are among the worst places to be when devastating conditions arrive; inadvertently becoming the biggest target in the path of a severe storm.

Article content

In the summer of 2023, two golfers died after they were struck by lightning at the Loch March Golf and Country Club.  During the derecho in May 2022, another died when hit by a falling tree at the Canadian Golf Course.

It should be obvious, but some golfers have a tendency to try and stick it out until the last second. The advice from the experts is to recognize the potential for severe storms at the clubhouse before heading out on the course and be prepared to come in as soon as the weather worsens.

Most courses also have advance weather radar systems, knowing what could be coming. Many golf courses have warning sirens, alerting golfers to stop playing as soon as possible when threatening weather is imminent.

If all other safety options aren’t possible and you are trapped in an open field, facing an incoming tornado, Coulson says the last resort is to lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. He cautions, however, that if rain accompanies the storm, a ditch can also quickly fill with water.

Where in your house or apartment building should you go during a tornado? 

The best course of action is to find shelter immediately.

Article content

Ideally, riding out the storm in a basement is the best option. Failing that, finding an indoor room, as far away from windows as possible, is the next best choice.

It should be noted here that in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy was holding Toto while standing directly in front of a window, before being whisked all the way out of Kansas. Dorothy’s family, meanwhile, found shelter in a storm cellar outside the house.

“Get to the centre of the building, as far away from the exterior as possible,” said Coulson. “An indoor bathroom, with a fixed structure to hang on to, is good.”

The advice is similar for those living and/or working in a building. Stairwells, usually well protected from storms, are the best avenue to try and reach lower ground. Do not attempt to take the elevator. When power goes out, elevators stop moving, putting everyone who takes that route at risk of being trapped.

Should you open windows or doors in a tornado?

Contrary to a once-held popular belief, opening windows and doors is not advisable. That line of thinking was based on the premise that the wind pressure difference would prevent a building from exploding.

Article content

“That’s exactly the opposite of what should be done,” said David Sills, executive director of the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University.

“I guess it originated as folklore, more than anything else. Empirical studies show that it would build the (wind) intensity.”

Sills also emphasizes that the biggest cause for concern when tornadoes strike is the possibility of being hit by flying objects.

“Even a weak tornado can put a 2 x 4 through a wall,” he said. “All advice is geared towards keeping as far away as possible from debris and protecting yourself from that and from a roof or wall collapse.”

Tornadoes can come quickly, especially in the humid air of an Ontario summer. Coulson’s advice is to not shrug off gut feelings when there’s a sudden drop in temperature or unusual wind movement.

“There are classic images of tornadoes in the Prairies, where you have excellent visibility and you can see it coming, but sometimes (here), they’re wrapped up in rain and maybe you don’t see it coming, but you can feel the rush of wind,” said Coulson. “That’s an early sign that something isn’t right.”

Article content

What should you do if you are in a car during a tornado?

Tornadoes typically come from the west, so the best advice to track an incoming threat is to keep eyes peeled in that direction.

In the unfortunate event that you’re in a car and can’t find shelter, the safest option is to pull over at a safe spot at the side of the road, with four-way flashers flickering.

Do not, Sills cautions, stop under an overpass to ride out the storm.

“The air is sped up there and it collects more debris,” he said. “We’ve been trying to dissuade people from doing this for years.”

In addition, cars stopping under overpasses can create traffic jams, adding to the dangers of driving through a storm.

If a storm approaches and you’re stuck in the car, Coulson advises to duck down below the dashboard, preferably with a blanket or coat draped over top to protect against any glass breaking.

Should you make an emergency survival kit?

Yes. The aftermath of tornadoes can mean extended power outages. Experts recommend having supplies to survive three days in the case of an emergency.

Pack the contents of your kit in an easy-to-carry bag(s) or a case on wheels.
Store your kit in a place that is easy to reach, and ensure that everyone in your family knows where it is.

Article content

Check and refresh your kit twice a year—when the clocks shift to/from daylight savings time is a good time. Check all expiry dates and replace food and water with a fresh supply. Check batteries and replace as needed.
Keep your cellphone or mobile device fully charged.

What items should be in an emergency survival kit?

The aftermath of tornadoes can mean extended power outages. Below is a list of what Emergency Management Ontario says are the essentials for a three-day emergency survival kit.

• Food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days) and a manual can opener

• Bottled water (four litres per person for each day)

• Medication(s)

• Flashlight

• Radio (crank or battery-run)

• Extra batteries

• External power bank to recharge small electronic devices

• First-aid kit

• Candles and matches/lighter

• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes

• Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)

• Extra car keys and cash

• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)

• Zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)

• Garbage bags

Special considerations

Article content

• Items for babies and small children such as diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, comfort items

• Medical supplies and equipment

• Pet food and supplies

• Extra supplies for evacuation

What should be in an evacuation go bag?

In addition to the above emergency supplies, here’s what you can pre-pack in a go bag, in case you need to make a quick getaway.

• Clothes

• Shoes

• Sleeping bags or blankets

• Personal items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, other toiletries)

• Playing cards, travel games, other activities for children

Read more guides about emergency preparedness

How to prepare for and survive an ice storm

How to survive a Snowpocalypse in Ottawa: A comprehensive guide

What to know about the insurance process after a storm

With files from Megan Gillis and Aedan Helmer

Editor’s note: Feel free to cut this out and put it on your fridge, or bookmark it online.

Dear reader: This article is available for free, for everyone, because we believe this is a matter of crucial public interest. If you’d like to support us in our mission to provide journalism that matters for all Ottawans, please subscribe: https://ottawacitizen.com/subscribe/

Article content