Keep Weather In Mind With Group Activities

Planning a meeting or a party? If so, it's a good idea to have an emergency plan ready in times of uncertain weather. Especially if severe thunderstorms are in the forecast or conditions are right for tornadoes.

When a group is meeting inside a building, posting lookouts with weather radios at hand would be a very good idea.

If a lookout spots dark rolling clouds, unusual lightning, hail or a funnel cloud, then you can put your emergency plan into action.

Be sure that your group will be able to reach a refuge such as a basement area with no windows, a bottom-floor hallway or an interior hallway or small interior room with no windows. A Civil Defense-designated shelter would be a good choice.

Avoid gymnasiums, auditoriums, dining halls, workshops, laboratories, classrooms, exterior rooms with windows, elevators, stairwells, non-masonry buildings, barns, utility areas, mobile units and mobile vehicles.

Don't seek refuge outside. However, if you are caught outside in a storm and there is no other choice, lie flat in a ditch or culvert.

Weather radio are inexpensive, many less than $20, and will pick up the National Weather Service weather advisories anywhere in the country. If a tornado watch is issued, the radio emits an alarm that signals the radio should be turned on. Electronics stores such as Radio Shack sell weather radios.

A tornado watch indicates that weather conditions are right for a tornado to develop. A tornado warning announces that a tornado has been spotted in the area.

When a tornado warning is broadcast for your area or if you observe dark rolling clouds, unusual lightning, hail or a funnel cloud, go immediately to your refuge. If you hear a buzzing or roaring sound, run to your refuge.

Don't use elevators or stairwells when a storm is approaching. While inside your refuge, sit on the floor and don't smoke.

If a tornado strikes, duck your head between your knees and cover the back of your head with your hands for protection. Since multiple tornadoes can occur in one storm, be cautious when leaving your refuge.

Dale Linvill, Clemson Extension Service Agricultural Meteorologist