Blog with a Twist

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

EF1 Tornado that impacted the Kanawha Valley on Monday June 24, 2019.

On the evening of June 24th, a tornado touched down in Kanawha County, West Virginia. With the tornado came damaging winds and destruction to the affected areas. Thousands are still without power, including hundreds of business owners. Being prepared for a devastating storm like this one is key for a business owner. As someone in charge of not only the structure itself but all of the lives within the structure, a tornado warning should not be taken lightly.

You must know the warning signs of a tornado so that you can be sure you and your employees know what to expect, and how to best prepare. A tornado is a narrow and violently rotating cloud that is only easily visible if it has formed a condensation funnel. Debris and dust will swirl around under the cloud base. If a tornado warning has been issued in your area, you may hear a loud roar that does not fade as thunder would.

If you see the warning signs common with a tornado and a tornado warning has been issued, take heed to the warning and find shelter immediately. Get to the lowest level of the structure and find an interior room. Stay in the center of the room and stay away from doors, windows, and walls.

After a tornado affects the area your business is in, you may have to make your employees aware of hazards brought on by the storm. Be aware of any gas leaks, structural damage, or electrical dangers. Be sure that your employees know not to touch down power lines under any circumstances. Leave the electrical work to the professionals. Be careful around any sharp objects and use precaution when operating generators.

The best way to make sure your employees know how to react when a tornado touches down near you is to make and stick to an emergency plan. In addition to your Emergency Readiness Profile, create a step by step preparedness plan that goes over different scenarios and storm situations.

Here are a couple of great resources to refer to when preparing yourself and your business for a tornado disaster:

Click HERE for an article that discusses how to create a tornado preparedness plan for your business. 

Click HERE for helpful tips from the American Red Cross on tornado safety.