Tornado Season: get prepared now

On April 4, 1956, Standale was hit by a killer tornado -- 18 people died and the small town was leveled.

Back then predicting these killer storms was almost impossible. Today, Storm Team 8 has the best technology to track and predict dangerous storms.

But we can only pass on the warning, it's up to you to seek shelter. During this Severe Weather Awareness Week, make sure your family knows what to do when violent weather strikes.

There's nothing more terrifying than being caught in the path of a tornado. Yet people continue to wait until the last moment to seek shelter. Part of the reason is our fascination with these storms. The other, thanks to home video cameras, is a foolish desire to capture the storm on tape.

Mother nature doesn't always enjoy posing for the camera. According to the Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, the Standale tornado touched down near Saugatuck before moving northeast through Ottawa, Kent and Montcalm counties. The twister left 18 people dead, more than 300 people injured, and millions in property damage.

Forty-six years after the Standale tornado meteorologists are better at predicting these storms. Storm Team 8's advanced technology helps us track tornados and severe thunderstorms, giving you time to seek shelter.

An average of 18 tornadoes occur in Michigan each year. Since 1950, 239 people have been killed due to tornadoes. During this same time, Michigan has experienced 786 tornadoes. For more historical information, check out West Michigan Tornado History 1950-1995 .

Do you remember your last tornado drill?
It's something most of us, as children, practiced in school. An idea we should bring home to our families. Like a fire drill, a tornado drill could save your life.

• Have emergency supplies on hand, including a battery-operated radio, a flashlight and a supply of fresh batteries.
• Know the location of designated shelter areas in public facilities, such as schools, shopping centers and other public buildings.
• Make an inventory of household furnishings and other possessions. Supplement it with photographs of each room. Keep in a safe place.
• Plan ahead. Be sure everyone in your household knows where to go and what to do in case of a tornado warning.

What should you do when a tornado threatens?

• When a tornado warning has been issued, don't stand around outside and look for the storm. Seek shelter immediately.
• In homes and small buildings, stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the basement or to an interior part of the lowest level. And get under something sturdy.
• Protect your head.
• Don't bother opening windows to "equalize the air pressure". It doesn't work and could slow you down from seeking a safe place.
• If you're living in an apartment go to a hallway and try to keep as many walls between yourself and outside. Interior hallways on the lowest floors are best.
• If you're in a mobile/modular home or a vehicle, seek the nearest shelter. If there is no shelter then move to a ditch or low spot and shield your head with your arms.

What to do after a tornado.

• Inspect your property, including motor vehicles for damage. Check for electrical problems and gas leaks and report them to utility companies at once.
• Watch for fallen power lines. Stay out of damaged buildings until you are sure they are safe an will not collapse. Secure your property from further damage or theft.
• Use only approved or chlorinated supples of drinking water. Check food supples.

What's the difference between a tornado watch and warning?

• A tornado watch means conditions exist for severe weather to develop. Watches are usually for large areas about 2/3 the size of lower Michigan. The usually last 2-6 hours.
• A tornado warning, issued by the National Weather Service, means a tornado has been sighted, or Doppler radar indicates a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado. Warnings are for smaller areas, such as counties, and are usually 30 minutes to one hour in length.

How fast and far do tornadoes travel?
They generally travel from the southwest at a speed of about 30 miles an hour. However, some tornadoes have very erratic paths with speeds approaching 70 miles per hour. The average Michigan tornado is on the ground for less than 10 minutes and travels about 5 miles. They have been known to stay on the ground for more than an hour and travel more than 100 miles.

When do tornadoes generally occur in Michigan?
Most tornadoes occur during June, July and August in the late afternoon and evening hours. However, they can occur anytime of day or night in almost any month of the year. Our strongest tornadoes have occurred in April and May.

What's the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud?
Like a tornado, a funnel cloud is also a column of violently rotating winds extending down from a thunderstorm; however, it does not touch the earth.

For more about tornadoes, check out these links:

• Preparedness Guide from National Weather Service
• Highway Passes as Tornado Shelters
• The Online Tornado FAQ
• A Guide to Developing a Tornado Emergency Plan for Schools