Individual
Assignment
Lecturer :Ir. R. Didiet Hidayat
Name :
Hanifah Fiddieny
NIM : 2244.14.101
Trisakti
School of Transportation
March
2017
About
Tornadoes are violent: they can completely destroy
well-made structures, uproot trees and hurl objects through the air like deadly
missiles. Although severe tornadoes are most common in the Plains States, they
can happen anywhere. Learn what to do to keep your loved ones safe.
Preparedness
Preparedness involves a continuous
process of planning, equipping, training and exercising. Planning for tornadoes
requires identifying a place to take shelter, being familiar with and
monitoring your community’s warning system, and establishing procedures to
account for individuals in the building. Employers may need to obtain
additional equipment and/or resources (e.g. Emergency Supply Kits) identified
in the plan. In addition, workers need to be trained and plans need to be
practiced to ensure that personnel are familiar with what to do in the event of
a tornado.
Planning
Identifying Shelter Locations
An underground area, such as a
basement or storm cellar, provides the best protection from a tornado. If an
underground shelter is unavailable, consider the following:
- Seek a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible
- Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls
- Stay in the center of the room, and avoid corners because they attract debris
- Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block with no windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead
- Avoid auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs.
Personnel should also be aware of
what to do if caught outdoors when a tornado is threatening. Seek shelter in a
basement or a sturdy building. If one is not within walking distance, try to
drive in a vehicle, using a seat belt, to the nearest shelter. If flying debris
is encountered while in a vehicle, there are two options: 1) staying in the
vehicle with the seat belt on, keeping your head below the windows and covering
it with your hands or a blanket, 2) if there is an area which is noticeable
lower than the roadway, lie in that area and cover your head with your hands.
Accountability procedures
The following steps are recommended
to help ensure the safety of personnel if a tornado occurs:
Warning
Systems
Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are likely to occur in the watch area. Be ready
to act quickly and take shelter, and check supply kits. Monitor radio and
television stations for more information.
Tornado Warning - Imminent threat - A tornado has been sighted in the area
or has been indicated by radar. Take shelter immediately.
Your local emergency management
office can provide information about your community’s tornado warning system.
- Develop a system for knowing who is in the building in the event of an emergency
- Establish an alarm system to warn workers
- Test systems frequently
- Develop plans to communicate warnings to personnel with disabilities or who do not speak English
- Account for workers, visitors, and customers as they arrive in the shelter
- Use a prepared roster or checklist
- Take a head count
- Assign specific duties to workers in advance; create checklists for each specific responsibility. Designate and train workers alternates in case the assigned person is not there or is injured
Some businesses are required to have
an Emergency Action Plan meeting the requirements under 29 CFR 1910.38, see Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool
for more information. Though Emergency Action Plans primarily involve
evacuations, emergency planning for tornadoes involve identifying safe places
of refuge for workers to go to in the event of tornadoes.
Equipping
- Get emergency supply kits and keep them in shelter locations
- Learn more about NOAA Weather Radio.
Training
and Exercises
- Ensure that all workers know what to do in case of an emergency.
- Practice shelter-in-place plans on a regular basis.
- Update plans and procedures based on lessons learned from exercises.
For more information, see the preparedness guide developed by NOAA, FEMA
and the American Red Cross.
Additional guidance on emergency plans:
- Tornadoes: Being Prepared. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Tornadoes. Ready.gov - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Thunderstorm Preparedness: A Guide to Storm Survival
From lightning strikes to high winds and even tornadoes, thunderstorms across the country cause property damage, cost Americans billions of dollars annually, and even take lives.
What’s more – they’re plentiful. About 16 million thunderstorms happen each year, with around 1,800 going on at any given time. That’s why it’s necessary to be prepared, and this guide will help you do that.
Tornado Preparedness
Why Prepare for Thunderstorms?
Though thunderstorms are dangerous, their power is often underestimated because they’re so common. Everyone experiences thunderstorms regularly, and that makes it easy to forget their unpredictability. Violent storms can cause a variety of other dangerous events, here are a few:- Lightning
- Strong winds
- Microbursts
- Flash floods
- Hail
- Tornadoes
- Wildfires due to lightning strikes
Being prepared means having the knowledge and supplies necessary to stay safe and handle emergency situations to the best of your ability. It doesn’t always mean you’re going to be safe, but it does improve your chances.
Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit
The first thing you need to do to be prepared is have an emergency preparedness kit. This kit contains everything you and your family will need in an emergency, as well as enough supplies to survive for three to five days.Here’s a list of items that every emergency preparedness kit should contain:
- One gallon of water per person, per day
- Around 2,000 calories of non-perishable food per person, per day
- A mechanical can opener
- First-aid supplies to handle minor injuries, including splints, suture kit, antibacterial creams, bandages, and antihistamine
- Hand-crank or battery-operated radio, preferably a NOAA weather radio
- A week’s worth of all prescription medications
- Hygiene items such as toothpaste, shampoo, and feminine products
- Copies of important documents in a waterproof container; be sure to include driver’s licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, and insurance cards
- Blankets
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A minimal amount of money in small bills
- An extra credit card
- Emergency contact list, including names, telephone numbers, and addresses
- If you have children, include items to entertain them, such as coloring books, cards, or board games
- If you have an infant, be sure to include diapers, formula, and anything else you’ll need
- If you have pets, have enough food and other supplies for them
Before Severe Weather Hits
Preparation for severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, happens well before a storm is spotted. To be ready and stay safe, here are things you should do on a regular basis, before a storm hits:Landscaping
Keeping your yard clean of dead trees and rotting limbs protects both you and your property. It reduces the risk of limbs falling onto a person, vehicle, or even your home. If a tree is starting to die, removing it from the property guarantees it won’t uproot or snap and fall during high winds.Secure Outdoor Objects
When there’s a chance of severe weather, secure your outdoor items to the ground. From picnic tables to fuel tanks, high winds can topple and blow huge items around, causing damage and making cleanup more difficult. Take small, easy-to-move items indoors.Watch vs. Warning
If your area is at risk of severe weather, know what to be prepared for. NOAA weather radios keep you informed of National Weather Service weather alerts. A severe weather watch means that conditions are right for severe weather to occur. A severe weather warning means that a thunderstorm has been reported or indicated by radar.Just to clarify:
- Watch = Possibility
- Warning = Occurring
Keep Activities Inside
If there’s a thunderstorm risk, postpone any outdoor activities or make alternate plans. You don’t need 15 kids outside during a thunderstorm for a birthday party. Either have it another day or have a plan B just in case.Protect Pets and Livestock
While it may seem that pets and livestock should be able to withstand a thunderstorm, animals should be put indoors and out of harm’s way. They are susceptible to being struck by lightning, especially those who reside in open fields. Hail can also be dangerous to livestock without cover, and can cause injuries or even be fatal.To keep them safe, secure livestock in a sturdy building, with plenty of food and water.
During a Thunderstorm
The most severe storms occur when one storm lingers for an extended time over a specific area. Only 10 percent of all storms are considered severe, which indicates one of the following:- Hail with a diameter of at least one inch
- 58-mph winds or greater
- Produces a tornado
Head Indoors
If you can hear thunder, you’re within reach of lightning – which can travel up to 10 miles outside of the storm. Hence, the lack of rain or thunder is in the distance is not a sign of safety. As soon as a storm is in your area, it’s time to head inside. And inside means completely indoors, not on the back porch and not in the front door. While thunderstorms can be beautiful to watch, they’re dangerous. Even standing in front of a window can lead to unnecessary injuries.Regardless of what urban myth you’ve heard, rubber soles and tires do not protect you from lightning, so don’t think wearing sneakers means it’s okay to continue your golf game. It’s not – ever.
Shutter Windows
Shutter your windows when the storm starts in order to protect them from high winds, hail, and debris. If you don’t have shutters, close the drapes or blinds for added protection. Be sure to stand away from other glass structures, including glass doors and skylights.Unplug Electronics
Unplug electronic devices – including computers, television sets, and other items – that may be damaged if there’s a power surge or lightning strike. Avoid using items that plug in, as current can travel through them and shock you.Avoid Corded Phones
If you need to make a phone call during a thunderstorm, do NOT use a corded phone or a cell phone that is plugged in. Electricity easily travels through phone lines and can actually electrocute you through the phone.Avoid Plumbing
A thunderstorm is not the time to take a shower or do the dishes. The shock from lightning can travel through the water and pipes, making faucets and fixtures dangerous.Avoid Concrete
When it’s storming, be sure to avoid laying on concrete floors or leaning on concrete walls. While concrete itself does not conduct electricity, it’s often reinforced with steel, which does.Be Aware of Natural Lightning Rods
Lightning often strikes the highest thing available, so be aware of solitary trees, TV antennas, power lines, or other high structures. If outside, try to make yourself smaller than surrounding objects to avoid being struck by lightning.If in a Vehicle
If you’re in a vehicle when a storm hits, turn on your flashers and pull over until you can safely see to drive. While the rubber tires of the vehicle do not protect you from lightning, the hard metal top does and makes your vehicle the second safest place to be during a thunderstorm. Just be sure you’re not touching any metal in the vehicle, and if you’re in a soft-top vehicle, seek shelter as soon as possible.If in the Woods
If you’re in the woods when severe weather hits and are too far away to get to a building or vehicle, seek shelter in a low area, preferably under a thick cover of small trees. Try to avoid dead trees or hanging limbs.If in the Open
If you’re in the open with no shelters or vehicles nearby, get as low as you can in a ravine or valley. Crouch down, staying on the balls of your feet, and cover your head, making yourself the smallest target possible. While this protects you from lightning and winds, be cautious of flash floods, which cause the most storm-related deaths in the U.S.If in Open Water
Being in open water during a thunderstorm is perhaps one of the most dangerous places to be. Head toward land as soon as signs of a storm appear. Stay away from metal on the boat and phone in for assistance if necessary.The Risks of Lightning
Lightning is one of the main reasons that thunderstorms are so dangerous, and is one of the top three causes for storm-related fatalities in the U.S., with an average of 51 deaths per year and hundreds of injuries.Here are some lightning facts that are important to know:
- Lightning occurs when there is a buildup and discharge of electrical energy.
- While anyone can get struck by lightning, over 80 percent of fatalities are men, aged 15 to 40.
- The chance of getting struck by lightning is one in 600,000.
- Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer when someone is stuck outside during a storm in the afternoon or evening.
- Lightning heats the air around it to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the surface of the sun.
- Because this air is so hot, it produces a shockwave, which we hear as thunder.
- There is no such thing as heat lightning; it’s actually regular lightning from a thunderstorm that’s too far away to be seen.
- It doesn’t need to be raining for there to be lightning; dry lightning is particularly common in the Southwest, where the rain evaporates before hitting the ground.
- To figure out how far lightning is, count the time between seeing the strike and hearing the thunder; every five seconds is about one mile.
- You see lightning
- You hear thunder
- There’s a loud static on AM radio
- There’s a buzz sound on the radio antenna
- When the masthead on a ship begins to glow, which is also called St. Elmo’s Fire
If Struck by Lightning
If you’re with someone who’s been struck by lightning, here’s what you need to do to keep them safe:- A person struck by lightning does not hold an electric charge, so don’t be afraid to touch them.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Look to see if the individual is breathing; if not, perform mouth to mouth.
- Check for a heartbeat; if you can’t find it, start CPR.
- Look for burns where the lightning entered and exited the body
- There may also be nervous system damage, broken bones, or trouble with hearing and eyesight.
Tornado Preparedness
One of the most dangerous aspects of thunderstorms is their ability to spawn tornadoes. A rotating column of air extending from a cumuliform cloud, tornadoes are destructive forces that can be over a mile wide and extend for over 50 miles with winds in excess of 200 mph. While tornadoes can happen anywhere in the world, they most often occur in the U.S., with an average of about 1,200 per year.Tornadoes typically occur when it’s warm, humid, and windy, and can also be formed from hurricanes and tropical storms. While the tornado itself is extremely dangerous, most damage occurs from the strong winds and flying debris carried by the tornado.
Since tornadoes form from severe thunderstorms, the precautions associated with storms should also be followed for tornadoes, along with the following:
Basement
Anytime there’s a chance of a tornado, you want to do more than just head indoors – you want to get to the lowest floor possible, preferably underground. Once there, get under a workbench to protect yourself from falling debris. If that’s not available, cover yourself with a mattress.Interior Room
If your home does not have a basement, move to a small, interior room with no windows. Do not worry about opening up windows or leaving doors open. Most buildings have enough leaks that the air does not pressurize to the point of breaking glass.If you don’t have an appropriate interior room, hallways, under stairwells, and even bathtubs offer some protection during a tornado.
Safe Room
Often used in mobile home parks and community buildings, safe rooms are specifically designed to provide more safety during severe weather and tornadoes. These rooms are reinforced and designed to withstand high winds. If you do build a safe room, be sure to register it with your local fire department. That way if an emergency occurs and you get trapped in the room, the authorities will know where to look.Assume the Position
Whether you’re in a basement or school hallway, get into a crouched position against a wall or solid structure. Cover your head and neck with your arms, and if it’s available, cover yourself with a mattress, blanket, or even towels.Be sure to position yourself in a place that isn’t below heavy objects on the above floors. Things like pianos and waterbeds have been known to fall through floors during tornadoes, and can cause significant and even fatal damage.
Mobile Homes
Mobile homes and travel trailers are NEVER safe places to be during a tornado. Even if the building is strapped to the ground, these structures are often lifted and thrown. If you live in a mobile home, be sure to have an outdoor safe room or a place to go underground in the chance of a tornado.Vehicle
If you find yourself in a vehicle and a tornado is approaching, seek shelter in a sturdy building immediately. If that’s not possible, you have a few different options depending on your situation:- Outdrive it: If the tornado is far enough away and you think you can outrun it in your vehicle, do so. Move away from the tornado at 90 degree angles. Remember, tornadoes change directions frequently and without warning. It is NEVER safe to move toward a tornado for any reason.
- Secure yourself inside: If there’s no building nearby and the tornado is too close to drive away, secure yourself inside the vehicle. Put your seatbelt on, and lower yourself so your head and body are below the windshield. Protect your head and neck by covering them with your arms, and cover yourself with a blanket or jacket if possible. Vehicles often get lifted and tossed by tornadoes, but securing yourself inside lowers your risk of injury or death.
- Get lower: The only time you should leave your vehicle during a tornado is if you can get lower than the roadway. If there’s a ditch or ravine, get in it, and cover your head. If there’s something secured to the ground that you can get near or hold on to, do so. Be sure to avoid areas where things could topple on top of you. Bridges and underpasses are NOT safe and too often collapse to offer any safety.
Outdoors
If you’re stuck outside during a tornado and there’s no building or vehicle to get to, get in the lowest place you can find. A ditch, valley, or ravine offer some protection against the elements. Try to avoid places with debris that can be picked up by the tornado.Pets and Livestock
During severe weather, animal behaviors change. They become nervous, agitated, and may be impossible to keep calm. Animals often sense tornadoes well before people do, so be prepared that it may be more difficult than normal to handle them.If a tornado is in the immediate vicinity, do not worry about your livestock. Animals are not worth risking your own or your family’s safety. That being said, if time allows, here are some things you can do to increase safety for your livestock during a tornado:
- Never leave animals tied up or restrained outside.
- If time is limited, open up escape routes, allowing your animals to get to safety on their own.
- If you have a barn or building that is secure, bring animals into the shelter and provide food and water before the storm hits.
After a Tornado
After
a tornado passes, it’s time to evaluate the damage and offer assistance to
those who need it. First and foremost, seek medical attention for those who are
injured. Emergency personnel may have trouble reaching people, so keep your
emergency preparedness kit with you.If your home is still standing, don’t assume everything is okay. Buildings get hit with projectiles and often suffer structural weaknesses during tornadoes. Just because it’s still standing does not mean that it’s safe. Proceed with caution.
Tornadoes can also expose homes, water supplies, and communities to hazardous materials. Be sure to talk to local authorities about proceeding when this occurs.
