The term "tornado preparedness" refers to safety precautions made before the arrival of a tornado. It involves long-term plans as well as steps taken minutes beforehand.

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Preparedness involves knowing the major dangers to avoid. Some tornadoes are the most violent storms in nature. Tornadoes have varied in strength, and some tornadoes have been mostly invisible due to a lack of loose dirt or debris in the funnel cloud. Spawned from strong thunderstorms, tornadoes have caused fatalities and devastated neighborhoods within seconds of arrival.

A tornado operates as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends downward from a thunderstorm, to the ground, with swirling winds which have reached 300 miles per hour.  The wind speed might be difficult to imagine: traveling the length of a U.S.football field within 1 second^[3] (over 130 meters or 430 feet per second). Damage paths have been in excess of one-mile wide and 50 miles long

The following is a summary of typical tornadoes: ^[2]

They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.

They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.

The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast in the U.S., but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.

The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 miles per hour (48 km/h), but has varied from stationary to 70 mph (110 km/h).

Tornadoes can also accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.

Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.

Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountainsduring spring and summer months.

Peak tornado season in the southern U.S. states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.

The U.S.Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has advised the following precautions before a storm reaches an area: ^[4]

People were to be alert to the changing weather conditions.

They were to listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to local commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information.

They were advised to watch various common danger signs, including:

dark, often greenish-colored sky;^[4]

large hail stones;

a large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating);

loud roar of wind, sounding similar to a freight train.

Upon seeing an approaching storm or noticing any of the danger signs, they were advised to prepare to take shelter immediately, such as moving to a safe room, internal stairway, or other safe-haven area.

During August 2010, FEMA advised people to perform the following actions when a tornado struck.

Because some preparations vary, depending on location, people have been advised to consult their local area preparedness plans, rather than assume the plans are similar for all areas, such as which local buildings have been designated as storm shelters.

Having a first aid kit in the safe haven is advised to help victims recover from minor injuries. People needing prescription medications could have a medicine bag ready to take to shelter. Some people have reported their "ears popping" due to the change in air pressure, but those effects seem to be temporary. Covering people with mattresses or cushions has helped avoid injury from flying debris,^[5] as walls collapsed nearby.

*****GRAPHIC LANGUAGE WARNING******

7 Ways to Save Money on Taxes

1. Go green and save some green. You can get tax credits under the Energy Policy Act for reducing your home's energy use. To find out what qualifies, go to energystar.gov.

2. As long as you itemize, nearly all of your medical expenses can be deducted, from prescription drugs and doctor visits to surgery. See the full list of medical deductions at irs.gov to make sure you're not forgetting anything.

3. You already know you can deduct charitable donations, but don't forget any ticket you've purchased that had a "suggested donation." You can also write off out-of-pocket costs you incur while doing charitable work, like the ingredients used in a dish you regularly prepare for a soup kitchen.

4. Certain costs for managing your money that top two percent of your annual gross income are deductible, like safe-deposit box fees, calls to your broker, tax-prep fees, and subscriptions to investment journals.

5. Still paying for that pricey diploma? Student loan interest is deductible, even if you don't itemize.

6. Send in next January's mortgage payment early - if you make the mortgage payment in the current tax year, you can deduct the interest this year.

7. Chin up, unemployed college graduate. If your job hunt leads you to relocate for your first job, keep track of your receipts as you pack up. Your moving expenses are deductible.
 

 GARTH AND GEORGE

Tips for conducting open burning:

• Never use gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid to start a fire because the risk of
  personal injury is high.
• Burn one small pile at a time and slowly add to it. This will help keep the fire from getting out of
  control.
• Select a location away from any utility lines.
• While the fire is burning, an adult must attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.
• Have fire extinguishment materials on hand including a water supply, shovels and rakes. The water supply could be a pressurized water fire extinguisher, a pump can or garden hose, and be sure to test it out before igniting the fire. You do not want to find out that the water is still shut-off at the house faucet or that the hose is cracked when you need it most. For larger burns, have machinery close by such as disks or cultivators.
• Be prepared to extinguish your fire if the winds pick up or weather changes. Use common sense and remember that sudden wind change is how most open burning gets out of control.
• If for some reason, the fire should get out of control, call 911 immediately. Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself or family members or any damage by fire to your home.
• April is usually the worst month for brush fires. When the snow pack recedes, before new growth emerges, last year's dead grass, leaves and wood are dangerous tinder. Winds also tend to be stronger and more unpredictable during April.
• Open burning releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, other gases, and solid substances directly into the air, which can contribute to respiratory problems. Disposal of natural materials is never as good for the environment as using them again in a different form. Tree limbs, brush and other forestry debris can be chipped or composted into landscaping material.