Surviving Tornados – A Plan for Action

As a native Texan, I’ve seen my fair share of tornadoes. The tornadoes that ripped through the Metroplex this week were the most frightening in years. Together our staff watched the warnings on TV and spoke over the phone with loved ones on Tuesday afternoon, making sure that everyone was as safe as they could be under the circumstances.  My office and home were lucky not to have been damaged by these twisters. Our hearts here at the firm go out to all those were not so lucky.

When weathering tornadoes the most important thing to remember is to be prepared. The more organized your family and friends are, the safer you will all be. Organization and preparation are particularly key for large institutions like schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

For instance, the Green Oaks nursing home in Arlington was badly damaged this past Tuesday. Despite the extensive physical damage, there were only two minor injuries.  When the tornado warnings were issued, residents were moved from the residential wings into the reinforced center of the building. The tornado actually tore the roof off the building, but almost all the residents were secure. Green Oaks had a plan, and it worked.

Here are some of my own constructive tips on how other nursing homes can be prepared for tornadoes:

Awareness – Understanding the Risks

Every nursing home operator and manager should know that tornadoes occur most frequently in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, during the spring and summer months. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. In the southern states, such as Texas, peak tornado occurrence is in March through May.

In Touch – Monitoring News Coverage

When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch is issued. Weather Service personnel use information from weather radar, spotters, and other sources to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for areas where severe weather is imminent. If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, nursing home personnel must move their patients to a per-designated place of safety. Organizations should have someone assigned to monitor radio stations so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Shelter – Choosing the Safest Place

Institutions in our area should consider specially-reinforced safe areas and be prepared to move occupants there in the event of a warning. Buildings without these areas should have a pre-designated shelter such as a basement. If an underground shelter is not available, move into interior hallways or small interior rooms on the lowest level. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums and other large rooms with long free-span roofs. Corridors with exposed entrances (as opposed to interior hallways) can be dangerous. Avoid glass display cases, glassed-in stairwells and doorways.

Don’t Hesitate – Seek Shelter ASAP

It’s a myth that open windows equalize pressure and minimize damage when a tornado strikes. Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone and immediately go to a safe place. Since weather services can provide some warning about hurricanes and tornadoes it is imperative that a responsible individual monitor such information. Advisories are immediately passed on to the media. If no one is available to constantly monitor radio or TV there are numerous services that send weather alerts to E-mail addresses, pagers and cell phones.

Organizational Checklist

Every nursing home must develop a severe weather action plan. You should identify the area of your safest area(s) and have frequent drills. Some specific issues of concern:

• Make sure someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the building is damaged.
• Keep residents in the building even if scheduled to leave. Seniors are safer inside than in a bus or car. Residents should not be allowed to leave with family members if severe weather is approaching.
• Gatherings in large spaces should be delayed if severe weather is anticipated. Large rooms, cafeterias, and auditoriums offer minimal protection from tornado-strength winds
• Move Residents quickly into   interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floor.
• Practice drills must be carried regularly and routinely.

Category: Lawyer's Advice