The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-08-29
How to Act in a Tornado.

Sergt. John ?. Finley, signal service
officer at Kansas City, Mo-, has pub
lished, in a pamphlet on tornadoes, some
useful directions. concerning the course
to be taken to escape the dangers OF
those terrible forces. The inhabitant
Of i tornado-frequented district must
be watchful in the season of visitations,
for he can never know when the destrue-
ton will come upon him. On the first
sign of the approaching vortex he must
run--always 10 the north, unless by 90
ing in that direction he will have to
cross the entire path OF the storm. If
he is nearer 10 the southern edge than
to the centre of the probable path, he
may 90 south, bearing slightly east; but
in no event should he ever run directly
to the east or northeast. Il is impOssi-
bic to save any building that may lie in
the path Of the tornado, or any property
that can not be got out Of its way No
material, no method of construction can
I be competent to resist the raging de-
struction. Nothing rising aboye the
ground can escape il. The most practi-
cable measure Of precaution is to con-
struct 'sdugout at some suitable point.
Within easy distance from the house, to
tserye as a place of refuge or shelter
The retreat shonld be entirely under
ground, with roof at least three feet
thick. not rising above the surface Of Tx
earth, and entered from the northern OF
eastern side A seellar-caye1 may bs
constructed froE the cellar, if the houss
has one, 10 serve as 4 substitute for the
sdug-outv It shonld be exeavated from
the west wall OF the cellar toward thu
vest, a1sd should be made as eompleti
aud secure as the s'dugoutp If, how
ever, the storm cannot be escaped, il d
refuge is at hand or there is not time [.
get 70 il, the safest thing to do IS 70 plae
ones self against the vest wall OF Tia
cellar, face forward, or against the sOutl
/ wall a. near the southwest corner as pos
sible. The northeast quarter Is, IN an
case, a fatal position, aud should alway
, be avoided. II one Is actually ovel
taken by the tornado, has only Tecours
Is to cast himself face downward upO
the ground, with his head 10 the eas
and his arms thrown oFer his head {
! protect II If 3 stump or large stone, &
ANYTHING heavy that the wind win NJ
I. blow over, i near, he may get trife {
: protection By throwing himself TO II
fE4< rs 24ESAs N II. II IA q nJlat- NAAA y
!, cellar, be shOaId get into the vest rool
On the ground floor If possible. and ava
4 from all stoves and heavy furnffur
+ The people Of towns might frd il
Z their advantage % provide for having
I. 8 xatch to be on duty on al days Whe
= the air bears the prenoHitory symptom
! 81 4 violent wind storm TO give a sign
: . the whole population On the appea
4 ance Of the first real threatening sieF
1. 4, The signs Of the formation and apnrsa,
Z q tDrnado-eload are distinct and q
fcientsy suggestive to afford ouportuni
Tor timely and concerted action. Ser.
g Finley Is continuing his investigate
= sf the phenOmeaa Of tornadoes. and
8 has prepared three full schedules
= =. minute inquiries ealing for the fal
:. - attendant upon the appearance Of I
4. q storms, which he sends to persons v
''1 we're within the path sf one. who =.
% the outer edge Of the path, and =
were from ten TO one hundred nj
ar from it-From Popular 8Iiscellan,
IN Popular Science Non S,ly for June.