WSET.com - ABC13Tornado Safety by Lyndsay Tapases

Now that we have entered the beginning of "Meteorological Spring" (which began on March 1st. The Spring Equinox is not officially until Sunday, March 20th) it is time to start reviewing your family's severe weather preparedness plan. We have already had our first Tornado Watch of the season, which was issued this past Monday. Remember, a Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes, and a Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted or detected by radar.

Tornadoes are formed when a violently rotating column of air extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground. They range dramatically in size, with widths as small as a few yards or as large as a mile across. Because of the hot and humid conditions in the middle of the summer, July is the most active month for severe thunderstorm and tornado development in our area, but tornadic storms may occur as early as March or as late as November.

At last calculation, the state of Virginia was only averaging about 7 tornadoes per year, with EF0 or EF1 tornadoes being the most common. Luckily, violent tornadoes (EF4 and EF5) are extremely rare for our region, but that doesn't mean they cannot occur. The strength of a tornado is not assessed until AFTER the tornado has passed through, and is rated based on the damage that it caused.

If a Tornado Watch is issued for your area, remain aware of the developing situation so you will be immediately alerted should a Warning follow. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your city or county, seek shelter immediately. Most tornado deaths and injuries occur outdoors, in automobiles, and in mobile homes. The safest place to be during a tornado is inside a sturdy building or shelter, preferably in a basement. If the structure does not have a basement, seek shelter in an interior room or closet without any windows.

Should you be caught in your car, it is best to attempt to drive to the nearest sturdy shelter if there is one close-by. If not, your second best choice is to abandon your car and try and find a low-lying ditch. NEVER seek shelter from a tornado underneath an overpass, as this puts you more at risk of injury from enhanced winds and flying debris.

Virginia will be conducting a State-wide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 15th, at 9:45am. To register for this drill or for more information, visit www.vaemergency.com.