Wherever you live in the U.S., at some point you are likely to experience severe weather, be it
very hot and dry temperatures or excessive rain and flooding. In all cases, the best way to protect
yourself is to follow the advice given to you by your host parents, teachers, or other responsible
adults.
Most participants are likely to experience a thunderstorm during their stay and some may experience a tornado warning or an actual tornado.
Since there will be times when you find yourself outside of the company of a responsible adult, below
are steps which you should take to protect yourself in the event of a thunderstorm or a tornado.
There are times that a severe, impending weather event may result in the need for you and your host
family to evacuate the area. Should this occur, please keep AFS volunteers/staff informed of these
changes. AFS Staff and/or Volunteers may also reach out to your host family to verify your host family’s
plan and your safety.
Make sure your phone and computer are fully charged in the event of a severe weather
warning of any type in your area.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year and just about anywhere in the world.
Lightning is perhaps the most common and deadly threat of a thunderstorm. Lightning always
accompanies a thunderstorm.
The “30/30 rule” is good way of knowing when you’re in danger. Count the seconds between
seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close
enough to be a threat. Seek shelter immediately. After seeing the last lightning flash, wait 30
minutes before leaving shelter. More than half of lightning deaths occur after the storm has
passed. Stay in safe shelter until the threat has passed.
Indoors:
• Stay off land line phones.
• Stay away from windows.
• Use flashlights if the power goes out.
• Discontinue use of phones and electrical equipment. You may also want to unplug appliances and computers.
• Avoid taking a shower or bath. If lightning strikes your house, it may send a current of electricity across metal plumbing throughout the house.
Outdoors:
• Stay low.
• If possible, find shelter in a building.
• Keep away from trees, tall objects, metal objects, and water.
• Boaters and swimmers should get to land as soon as possible.
• If you’re in a group caught outside, spread out.
If you begin to feel your hair stand on end, this indicates lightning is about to strike. You should
drop to your knees and bend forward placing your hands on your knees and crouch down. Do not
lie flat on the ground, this will only make you a larger target.
Tornadoes
The unique geography of the United States helps to produce some of the most favorable conditions for tornadoes to occur. The months with the greatest number of tornadoes overall are April, May, and June, but tornadoes can occur during any month of the year. Tornado seasons vary in different parts of the United States. In the Southeast, the peak season for tornadoes is February through April. In the Northern Plains, tornadoes are most likely to develop from June through August. Generally, tornado frequency is
high in the South in late winter and early spring; and in the Plains, Midwest, and Ohio Valley from early spring through summer.
If a tornado warning is issued for your location, take the following steps immediately:
At Home:
• Go to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.
• If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
• Go to the center of the room. Debris can sometimes come through walls.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
• If you DO have time, get a mattress or blankets to protect your head If you DON’T have time, use your arms to protect your head and neck.
Outdoors:
• If possible, get inside a building.
• If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Be aware of the potential for flooding.
At School:
• Always follow the instructions given by your teacher or other responsible adult.
• If there is no teacher around, do the following:
• Go to the basement, to an inside hallway, or to a restroom at the lowest level of the building where there are no windows.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, or hallways.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
In a Car:
• A driver should never try to out-drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
• Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.
Hurricanes
In the U.S., hurricanes may bring very strong winds, rain, and flooding to areas on the Atlantic
and Gulf coastlines. The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1st. In the U.S., the peak
hurricane threat exists from mid-August to late October, although the official hurricane season
extends through November.
If you live in an area that may be susceptible to hurricanes, your host family likely has a plan for
what they will do in case of a storm, including evacuating the area. Following their plan and
staying with your host family is the key to your safety during a hurricane.
Before the Storm... When in a Watch Area:
• Frequently listen to radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins of the storm’s progress.
• Locate flashlights in case the electricity goes out.
• Charge your devices!
In strong winds:
• Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway.
• In a multi-story house, go to an interior first-floor room, such as a bathroom or closet.
• Listen closely to the radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins.
• Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if told to do so!
During the Storm... When in a Warning Area:
• Stay away from moving water. Moving water even 6 inches deep can sweep you away.
• Stay away from standing water. It may be electrically charged from underground or downed power
lines.
• Notify your AFS liaison of your evacuation plans.
• Only stay in a home if you have not been ordered to leave. Stay inside a well-constructed building.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are fairly common is some parts of the U.S. While most are too small to feel, you
may experience the earth shaking at some point during your program. The most important thing
to remember during an earthquake is to remain calm. The following tips will be helpful in case
your area experiences an earthquake.
What to Do When the Shaking Begins:
• DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place.
• Stay indoors, away from windows, until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are at school, get under your desk or table so your head and body are covered and hold on.
What to Do After the Shaking Stops:
• Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and gloves.
• Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect smaller earthquakes, called aftershocks, to follow. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
Source: Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_241_,00.html