1.        If a tornado watch is announced, for further bulletins or warnings, tune your radio to a local radio station or local television station.  Cable subscribers will receive watch or warning announcements over all local channels of their TV sets. The CABLE Television System is on the air twenty-four (24) hours a day, even if no stations are broadcasting.   In case of extreme emergency, local stations may go back on the air until the emergency is over.

2.        If a tornado warning is issued, the following actions will warn you of an approaching tornado:

1)       The warning will be announced over all local broadcast stations on the air at the time and over all local channels of the Cable Television Systems.

2)       If the Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Area is threatened, all law enforcement units will turn on vehicle emergency lights and sound their sirens while making an announcement over their vehicle public address systems and will begin a slow patrol of their areas.

3)       Sirens throughout Tuscaloosa County will sound.  (A monthly test of the sirens is conducted on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon, weather permitting.)

A TORNADO WATCH means a tornado may develop.  Keep battery-operated radio or TV set on for weather advisories – even if sky is clear.

A TORNADO WARNING means a funnel cloud or tornado has actually been sighted on weather radar.  Seek inside shelter, and stay away from windows.  Curl up so that your head and eyes are protected.  Keep a battery-operated radio nearby and listen for current advisories.

TORNADO SAFETY RULES 

Seek shelter inside, preferably in a basement, underground excavation, or steel-framed or reinforced concrete building of substantial construction.  STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IN SHOPPING CENTERS, go to designated shelter area (not to your parked car).

IN HOMES, the basement offers the greatest safety.  Seek shelter under sturdy furniture if possible.  In homes without basements, take cover in the center of the house on the lowest floor in a small room, such as a closet or bathroom, or under sturdy furniture.

IN OFFICE BUILDING, go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor.  If the building is not of reinforced construction, go to a nearby one that is, or take cover on low, protected ground.  Stay out of auditoriums, gymnasiums, and other structures with wide, free-span roofs.

IN OPEN COUNTRY, move away from the tornado’s path at right angles.  If there is not time to escape, lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine.

MOBILE HOMES are particularly vulnerable to overturning during strong winds and should be evacuated when strong winds are forecasted.  Damage can be minimized by securing mobile homes with cables anchored in concrete footing.  Mobile home parks should have a community storm shelter and a warden to monitor broadcasts throughout the severe storm emergency.  If there is no shelter nearby, leave the mobile home park and take cover on low, protected ground.

DO NOT WASTE TIME OPENING WINDOWS

LIGHTNING IS ALSO A KILLER.  Stay indoors and away from electrical appliances while the storm is overhead.  If you are caught outside, stay away from and lower than high conductive objects.

THUNDERSTORM RAINS cause flash floods.  Be careful where you take shelter.

GO OVER THESE TORNADO RULES AND WARNING SYSTEMS WITH YOUR FAMILY SO THAT EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THEM.  HANG THIS SHEET WHERE IT WILL BE EASILY AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED.