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Severe Weather Brings Tornadoes and More to Central U.S.
Written by
Lesly C. Simmons
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Monday, March 13, 2006 — Wicked weather conditions pummeled the Midwest this weekend, as tornadoes, hail and floods struck at once across parts of Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas and beyond.
While the numbers are still coming in, several deaths have been reported across the affected region because of Sunday’s storms. More than 100 tornadoes were reported on Sunday alone, and the National Weather Service is actively working to verify those reports. Softball sized hail storms were also reported in Missouri and Kansas.
The American Red Cross is on the scene across the area providing services to storm victims, supporting relief workers, and conducting damage assessments. Red Cross shelters have also been opened in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Illinois to house those displaced by storms.
The indiscriminate damage caused by tornadoes appeared in Indiana last fall after a twister completely destroyed one home, and left the one behind it nearly untouched.
(Photo credit: Lesly Simmons/American Red Cross) |
On Monday the state of Indiana was covered with severe weather advisories for rain, flooding, tornadoes and winds. The same system that brought more than 100 tornadoes to the Midwest is still moving to the Ohio Valley, bringing the threat of bad weather to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and beyond.
The tornadoes come just as Severe Weather Awareness Week kicks off in Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
If you’re in an area where a tornado has passed, exercise extreme caution and follow these steps:
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Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. Access may be limited to some parts of the community, or roads may be blocked.
- Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
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Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
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Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
- Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of tornadoes.
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Stay out of damaged buildings. Tornadoes can cause great damage, creating further hazards. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe.
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When entering damaged buildings, use extreme caution. Moving through debris presents further hazards. Carefully watch every step you take.
For more information on how to be prepared before and after a tornado, read our tornado preparedness tips.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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