- Where does this kind of hazard occur?
Italy, France, Spain, India and Brazil are among the countries that get twisters, typically on a yearly basis. Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, Japan, China, Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Germany can be added to the list of countries that have reported tornadoes.
According to Dr. Harold Brooks, senior research scientist with the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, the location that gets the most tornadoes outside of the U.S., other than the part of the southern Canadian plains, is an area in South America. The region includes southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, Uruguay and southeastern Paraguay.
To form a tornado, the host thunderstorm must also rotate. From below, a rotating cloud base looks like someone is stirring the storm from above. This happens in a storm when wind at the ground is moving in a different direction and speed than the air above. The change in wind speed and direction with height are known as wind shear. This wind shear develops the rotation in the thunderstorm needed for tornado formation.
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. It is often portended by a dark, greenish sky. Black storm clouds gather. Baseball-size hail might fall. A funnel suddenly appears, descending from a cloud. The funnel hits the ground and roars forward with a sound like that of a freight train approaching. The tornado tears up everything in its path.
- How much warning is there?
A tornado warning (SAME code: TOR) is an alert issued by national weather forecasting agencies to warn the public that severe thunderstorms with tornadoes are imminent or occurring. It can be issued after a tornado, funnel cloud and the public, storm chasers, emergency management or law enforcement has spotted rotation in the clouds.
When this happens, the tornado sirens may sound in that area if any sirens are present, informing people that a tornado has been sighted or may be forming nearby (because sirens are not intended to be heard indoors, residents should not completely depend on them). The issuance of a tornado warning indicates that residents should take immediate safety precautions. It is a higher level of alert than a tornado watch, but (in the United States) it can be surpassed by an even higher alert known as a tornado emergency.
- What sort of damage does it do to people and the environment?
The causes of injury included falling objects and heavy, rolling objects. Because tornadoes often damage power lines, gas lines, or electrical systems, there is a risk of fire, electrocution, or an explosion. Protecting yourself and your family requires promptly treating any injuries suffered during the storm and using extreme care to avoid further hazards.
- How are different people (e.g. school child, subsistence farmer, day labourer, transport worker, large business operator) affected? Who would be most affected?
A tornado can affect humans because it can destroy their homes and they can die in the storm. It can also ruin their precious valuables, many of which may have been passed down through generations. Tornadoes can wreck many personal belongings such as vehicles and houses. Tornadoes can also affect humans because they can do very serious damage in hospitals and they could be destroyed in the storm so people might die. The countries in development are the most affected by this phenomenon and the more vulnerable people are the kids under five years old.
- Why might people live in an area affected by this type of hazard?
The cost of reducing risks can also be cultural and emotional. For many, an area prone to disasters is also the area where their ancestors have lived for generations, and leaving the place where they grew can uproot them. Sometimes, life in danger is preferable to the loss of space and the culture from which there is no recovery.
- How could people prepare for this type of disaster?
Identify safe rooms built to criteria or storm shelters or other potential protective locations in sturdy buildings near your home, work, and other locations you frequent so you have a plan for where you will go quickly for safety when there is a Warning or an approaching tornado.
For schools, malls, and other buildings with long-span roofs or open space plans, or many occupants, ask the building manager to identify the best available refuge.
Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
Listen to Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky.
- Large hail.
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating).
- Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
- If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
- What support might affected people need in order to rebuild their lives?
People can help those affected by disasters like the tornadoes and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
PREPARING FOR A NATURAL DISASTER
- Who might help in the event of a disaster?
Deploy the mayor, the fire brigade, the medical services, the police and the army with a crisis or disaster.
- What can you do to prepare for a disaster?
1. Water
1-2 gallons of water per person, per day. A 3-day supply for evacuation, a two-week supply at home.
2. Food
Easy to prepare, non-perishable items and a mechanical can opener. Canned soup, meat, vegetables, and fruit. A 3-day supply for evacuation, a two-week supply at home.
3. Shelter
An emergency blanket, sleeping bag or regular blankets, and tent.
4. Medical
First aid kit, a supply of essential medicines for at least a week, other crucial medical supplies like an inhaler.
5. Light
Flashlights, extra batteries, and extra bulbs. Candles. Waterproof matches or lighter.
6. Radio
A battery-powered AM/FM radio.
7. Cash
Cash machines will not work without electricity. Have a minimum of $50 on hand in small bills plus phone change.
8. Cell Phone and Charger
Although a cell phone may not work in a disaster, it might also be your line to life-saving support.
9. Sanitation and Personal Hygiene Items
Toilet paper, toothbrush, soap and other essential supplies.
10. Personal Documents
Driver’s license, birth certificate, passports, insurance policies, proof of address or lease, medication list and medical information, copies of credit cards, checks.
- How do you think preparing for a disaster such as a fire can help if a disaster occurs?
Do not overload plugs, do not store flammable materials near heat, dryer or stove and do not throw the charcoal on the trash
- How might people in a developing country prepare for a similar disaster?
A major problem of disaster management is that international teams are well prepared, but the victims are not. Naturally, that leads to little trust in the helping team’s activities and poor understanding of their actions. Besides, even Nation Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in developing countries run the risk of losing face in front of their governments.
- Why might there be differences?
There are many Natural Disasters that has their own cause of why they occur, such as a Hurricane (which is caused by the weather), Earthquake (caused by plate tectonics and others disturbing the earth's crust), Flood (caused by the weather), Lahar (by something Volcanic), etc.
