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 Protect
Yourself Against Tornadoes
Tornadoes are nature's most violent
storms and can strike with little or no warning. Within minutes,
a tornado can destroy entire neighborhoods and leave a path
of devastation that stretches for miles.
This information is specific to manufactured
home owners and will help you protect yourself against these
fierce storms and learn where to take shelter if a tornado
does strike.
Learn
the Difference Between a Watch and Warning
If the weather in your area seems threatening,
tune into a local television or radio station. Listen carefully
for weather advisories. Beware of a dark or greenish sky,
hail, or the roaring "train" sound of an approaching
tornado. Remember that a cloud of debris can mark the location
of a tornado, even when a funnel cloud isn't visible.
- A tornado watch means weather conditions
are right for violent weather to form, such as tornadoes
or severe thunderstorms.
- A tornado warning means actual tornadoes,
funnel-shaped clouds, have been detected by radar or sighted
nearby.
When a tornado warning is given, seek
shelter immediately and stay there until the danger has clearly
passed.
Take
Shelter in a Safe Place
If you're inside your manufactured home
when a tornado warning is issued, leave it immediately. Even
manufactured homes with secure tie-downs can be overturned
by a tornado.
An underground shelter is almost always
the safest place to be during severe storms. Many manufactured
home parks have an office or community building with a reinforced
basement or tornado shelter. If a park building is not available,
find shelter in the basement of nearby site-built homes, schools
or office buildings. Use a portable radio to monitor weather
conditions.
In site-built structures with no basement,
interior hallways on the lowest level are usually safest.
Stay away from windows, doors and exposed walls. Get under
something sturdy, such as a heavy table and protect your head
from falling objects and flying debris.
If you take shelter in a bathroom, lie
in the bathtub. If possible, wrap yourself in coats, blankets
or sleeping bags for protection against flying debris.
Take
Cover if You Can't Reach a Shelter
If there's no time to reach a safe shelter,
go outside and lie flat in a nearby ditch, culvert, ravine,
or depression in the ground, and cover your head with your
hands. Never take shelter underneath elevated structures like
a manufactured home. A tornado can pick up the home and put
you in severe danger.
Proceed
with Caution After the Storm
The aftermath of a tornado can also
be very dangerous. Stay in your shelter until the official
"all clear" is given. Then:
- Check the people around you for injuries
and call for help if needed.
- Watch out for broken glass, gas leaks
and downed power lines.
- Use caution before entering damaged
buildings to avoid injury.
- Do not enter your dwelling if it's
badly damaged. Call your insurance agent or claim center.
If you are insured with Foremost our toll-free 24-hour claim
reporting number is 1-800-527-3907.
- Prevent further damage to your property
by making minor repairs, such as putting a tarp over a damaged
roof. But never endanger your personal safety.
Protect
Yourself and Home in Advance
No one can stop a tornado, but you can
minimize the damage to your home and protect your family by
taking these practical steps ahead of time:
- Identify and visit a nearby tornado
shelter.
- Complete a written tornado plan for
your family to follow.
- Prepare and package a storm supply
kit that contains a radio, candles, matches, a flashlight,
first aid supplies, non-perishable food, water, medicines,
clothing, boots, blankets, important addresses and phone
numbers, cash and copies of your most important documents.
- Review your insurance coverages and
terms. For help understanding insurance terms and coverages,
visit our section on What
to Look For In an Insurance Policy.
Inside your home:
- Install sturdy "L-brackets"
to secure your major appliances to a wall.
- Install child safety locks on all
cabinets.
- Remove heavy objects from upper shelves.
- Make sure your hot water heater and
furnace are securely attached to your home and not just
sitting freely in a utility closet.
- Learn how to shut off water, gas
and electricity.
- Remove flammable or hazardous materials.
- Mount hanging pictures on "V"
hooks.
Outside your home:
- Inspect your home's tie-down system
at least every 6 months or after a re-leveling. Make sure
the tie-downs are not cracked, torn or rusted.
- Have a licensed contractor install
or make repairs to your tie-down system.
- Install extra tie-downs to your home.
- Add tie-downs to outlying structures,
such as storage sheds, swing sets, and others.
- Make sure roofing, awnings, windows
and siding are secure and problem-free.
- Clear your yard of things that could
become dangerous debris during a storm, such as dead trees,
loose branches, or stray objects like shovels, poles or
bikes. Encourage neighbors to do the same.
- Make sure perimeter fencing is well
installed and not loose or rickety.
Make Sure You Have the Right Insurance
Keeping adequate insurance coverage
for your home and personal property is one of the best investments
you can make. Check your policy's coverage limits, deductibles
and exclusions. If you've purchased any valuable items or
made any additions to your home since your last renewal, make
sure these are covered by your policy.
You can help things go smoothly
at claim time by preparing a personal property inventory of
your household furnishings and possessions. Take photos or
a video of all your items and keep receipts of valuable items.
Store your inventory in a safe deposit box or another secure
place away from your home. For more information on how to
create an inventory, visit our Personal
Property Inventory section.
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