Op-ed: "Prepare for the Next Tornado in Middle TN"

April 20, 2009, By Bart Gordon

Tornadoes are not uncommon in Tennessee: since 1950, twelve tornadoes on average have touched down in the state each year, with nearly two-thirds of them hitting Middle Tennessee during the months of March, April and May. 

After visiting the areas damaged by the Good Friday tornadoes and talking to survivors and emergency officials, I was reminded of a few things that proved especially helpful to countless people.

The first, and maybe most important, is a weather radio.  Every Middle Tennessee resident should have one.  As the National Weather Service has stated, “weather radios should be as common in homes and public places as smoke detectors.”  You can purchase one of these radios at your local hardware or electronic store, or on the internet.

Unlike regular AM/FM radio sets, weather radios exclusively broadcast official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  During an emergency, the National Weather Service sends out a special tone that activates weather radios, enabling them to receive special alerts about life-threatening situations.

When a tornado warning is issued, meaning a tornado has been sighted and may be headed your way, your primary goal should be to position yourself in an area that has as many walls as possible between you and the outside, on a floor closest to the ground.  This often means going to your basement or moving to an interior hallway on the lowest floor.  If you live in a manufactured home, leave immediately and find a sturdy building or your neighborhood’s designated shelter.

While touring the damage, I was also reminded of the dangers posed in the aftermath of a tornado.  Following the April 10th tornadoes, emergency officials said they could hear the hissing of gas mains and pipes damaged by the storm.  Even if you lose electricity, do not light a candle.  The risk of an explosion or large fire is high and the simple act of striking a match can result in a tragic outcome.

To prepare yourself for the next tornado, there are many other important things you should consider.  I have created a “Tornado Center” on my website where you can access this information (www.bart.house.gov/tornado).  If you do not have access to the internet, please contact my office at 615-896-1986 – I will be happy to mail you a paper copy of the disaster preparedness information.

Congressman Bart Gordon represents Tennessee's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.}