Weather experts' advice: Never underestimate a tornado

Tornados can occur any time, and that's part of what makes them unpredictable. They can pop up any time of the day, sometimes from seemingly out of nowhere.

That's why it's a good idea to be prepared, safety experts say.

When a tornado warning is issued for Bourbon County and the tornado sirens are activated, it's recommended that everyone take immediate shelter.

Many times, when the sirens blare, people will go outside to check out the sky in an apparent effort to find out what's going on. Weather safety experts advise against doing that, no matter how curious people might be. Instead, they recommend seeking shelter immediately.

Experts recommend the following:

* When already inside a structure, people should go to a pre-designated area like a basement, a storm cellar, or the lowest level. If there is no basement, experts advise going to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. The primary objective is to put as many walls as possible between people and the weather outside.

* For those who are in a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, experts recommend getting out immediately and going to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter.

* When caught outside with no shelter available, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover the head with hands while remaining aware of the potential for flooding.

* Do not get under an overpass or bridge.

* Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

* Also, get out of the car. Many people have been killed in cars while they were trying to outrun a tornado.

* If in an apartment, go to the lowest level and find a protected area such as a basement storage space or laundry room.

* Planning ahead is recommended. Assemble a disaster supply kit that includes bottled water, food, first-aid kit, extra prescription medicine, flashlight, batteries, sleeping bags or bedding. Get a weather radio so you can be updated on weather information. Determine a safe place to go when a tornado strikes. Make an inventory of all belongings and keep it in a safe place.

Concerning shelters, the City of Fort Scott is the only town in Bourbon County that does not have designated storm shelter locations. Fulton, Bronson, Mapleton, Uniontown and all township areas in the county have designated tornado shelters for their residents, according to Bourbon County Emergency Manager Laura Hyer.

The Fujita-Pearson tornado scale ranges from F-0 as the least damaging to F-5 as the most damaging. F-0 identifies a tornado of 40-72 m.p.h that creates light damage, such as tearing off tree branches and damaging chimneys. F-1 is a tornado of 73-112 m.p.h. that can peel off roofs. Mobile homes have been overturned and cars have been pushed off roads by F-1 tornadoes F-2 tornadoes are from 113-157 m.p.h. and will level mobile homes and snap off or uproot trees. F-3 identifies a tornado of 158-206 m.p.h. that can overturn trains and lift heavy vehicles. F-4 tornadoes have winds of 207-260 m.p.h. and can level houses, toss cars and create missiles of debris. F-5 tornadoes range from 261-318 m.p.h., possess tremendous force, and can carry houses and small buildings considerable distances, uproot and strip trees, toss large vehicles, and create total devastation.

All tornadoes can kill.