The Steuben County Office of Emergency services wants to provide you with information pertaining to tornado preparedness.     However rare, tornadoes can occur in New York State such as they did on May 31 of 1998. 

Terms:
-Tornado watch: is issued when conditions are favorable over a large area for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to develop.

-Tornado warning: a tornado has been detected or seen is on the ground and expected to move through your area soon.  You should take cover immediately!
 

-Develop a plan and know how to get to a safe place quickly if a warning is issued.

-Move to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of your home.  Stay away from windows and outside walls.  Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.

-If you live in a mobile home, or if you are camping, or traveling in a motor vehicle get out!  They are unsafe during a tornado.  Take shelter in a substantial structure or lie flat in a ditch or culvert with your hands shielding your head to protect yourself from flying debris.

-In schools, factories, shopping centers, or other large buildings take shelter in a basement or designated shelter area.  If there is no basement, interior hallways on the lowest floor are safest.  Stay out of gymnasiums, auditoriums, and cafeterias. They are all unsafe.