Shortly before 10pm last night, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for north central York County SC according to the details in a Rock Hill Herald article this morning. We heard the warning sirens go off in the Fort Mill – Tega Cay Area. Fortunately for the Fort Mill area, the storm weakened by the time it approached our area. Folks were not so lucky in the Clover area. So what should you do when you hear the sirens?
York County Office of Emergency Management states on their website to tune into local radio stations for York County which are AM Station WRHI 1340 and FM Stations WRHM – 107.9 and WRHI – 94.3. During the regularly scheduled tests, the sirens are activated for one 3-minute cycle. During a real emergency, the sirens will be activated for several 3-minute cycles.
What should you do when there is a tornado warning? Below is information from the FEMA website:
If you are under a tornado WARNING, seek shelter immediately!
If you are in: A structure (e.g. residence, small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, high-rise building)
Then: Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.
If you are in: a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home
Then: Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
If you are: outside with no shelter
Then: Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
To view FEMA?s suggestions go to: What to Do During a Tornado
What did you do last night when you heard the tornado warning sirens?
This is useful advice for anyone in tornado country. Hope everyone stays safe out there.
This is often invaluable help capability to deliver on tornado area. Expectation almost everyone is still around dependable you can get.
Tornado is nothing to play around with, you gathered some useful information on this site about the subject – thanks!
Is there a tornado shelter to go to in Fort Mill ??? A school basement maybe ? We moved here two years ago from Virginia and live in an apartment complex.