Tornado Safety

Hi folks: I guess I know when to take the right day of vacation! I was gone last Friday when the tornado touched down out by Baseline lake but I received a number of frantic calls at home asking what our procedures are and how to cope with this emergency.

Since we do not have PA systems at all of our facilities (UCAR North and Foothills) we are going to have to rely on our safety committee to be ready to spring into action. You can help by "passing the word" to take shelter. Generally, we will rely on the public systems (siren systems, TV and radio etc.) for notification.

If and when you hear the sirens going off and it looks like a tornado, then it's time to spread the word and have people take shelter. When the sirens are silenced then it's safe to return to offices.

Here are the generic procedures for tornados.

TORNADO SAFETY RULES

TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes and/or Severe Thunderstorms are possible over a wide area. Be Alert.

TORNADO WARNING: TAKE COVER NOW! Tornado spotted or shown by radar.

1. Seek inside shelter immediately...a basement or underground shelter is best. Protect your head and eyes from deadly flying debris. DO NOT LEAVE THE BUILDING.

2. If no basement is available...go to the interior part of the LOWEST floor... Stay away from windows. Get under something sturdy like a bench or table. Small rooms are best. Stay out of auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums or structures with wide free-span roofs.

3. Upper floors are unsafe. Immediately go to lowest floor possible. DO NOT TAKE THE ELEVATOR. Centrally-located stairwells are good shelter.

4. AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES: abandon the car or truck and seek refuge in a basement, storm shelter or sturdy building. As a last resort, seek shelter in a culvert or ditch.

5. OPEN COUNTRY: seek inside shelter if nearby and time permits. If there is no time, lie flat in the nearest depression, such as a ditch or culvert and protect your head with your arms.

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Please feel free to share these tips with others in your program or division. If you have questions of comments, please feel free to contact me.

Regards,
s2 -- Steve Sadler
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Director, Health, Environment and Safety Services
303-497-8550
FAX: 303-497-8552

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