American Red Cross warns the eastern coast, particularly
the Carolinas, that fall tornadoes are looming. Experts say that many fall tornadoes comes as a surprise,
during night or morning hours, making them extremely dangerous. Some signs of a
tornado include dark, often greenish clouds, a wall of clouds or cloud of
debris, large hail, a funnel cloud or roaring noise, according to Red Cross. It advises people to take the following steps
if a tornado warning is issued:
- Go to an underground shelter or safe room if available. A hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is also a safe alternative.
- Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home. If you have access to a sturdy shelter or vehicle, get out of the mobile home immediately and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter.
- If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.
- If you can’t walk to a shelter quickly, immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
- If debris is flying while you are driving, pull over and park. You can stay in the car with the seat belt on, putting your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket if possible.
- Or, if you can get safely to an area noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, get out of the car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances.
