How to Prepare for Tornadoes in New Jersey

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

New Jersey has had an unusual number of tornadoes in 2021. With a grand total of 11 as of September, it's the second-highest number since 1950 (the record was 19, set in 1989).

Tornado season is generally March through August, though tornadoes can occur at any time of year. So, how can you prepare?

SERVPRO’s Tips for Tornado Preparedness

Prepare yourself and your family for a tornado by creating an emergency supply kit and family disaster plan.

• Your kit should include items that will help you stay self-sufficient for up to three days. A battery-powered radio should be included to help you track the tornado.
• Your plan should entail evacuation steps, a place to reunite with loved ones, and an out-of-state contact person

Track the weather with color-coded maps of New Jersey's real-time NWS weather forecasts. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your local radio and television stations for weather updates, Storm Watches or Warnings, and emergency instructions from public safety officials.

Identify a safe place in your home where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way.

• Choose your basement, a center hallway, the bathroom, or a closet on the lowest floor.
• If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from structures.
• 
  Know the signs and watch the sky.

• Tornadoes don't always have a visible funnel. An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado if you don't see a funnel.
• Tornadoes may be accompanied by heavy rain or hail, followed by either dead calm or an intense wind shift.
• Listen for a loud, continuous roar or rumble that doesn't fade like thunder.
• Look for a persistent lowering of the cloud base.
• At night, watch for small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level, which means power lines are being snapped by strong winds, possibly a tornado.

SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel Can Help After a Tornado

The SERVPRO team is always prepared to help with mitigation and repairs following a serious weather event, while at the same time, staying on top of forecasts that may impact our environment. With a growing team of skilled experts and cutting-edge technologies for storm damage, we're ready to take your call.

Have Storm Damage?

Call Us Today (732) 290-3170.