The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-10-10
Aalraiiarr 6azettt.
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1883.
How to Act in a Tornado

Sergeant John P Finley, Signsl-Servici
officer at Kansas City, Missouri, has published
in pamphlet on tornadoes, some useful de-
rections as 10 the course 70 be taken to escape
the dangers Of those terrible forces. The in
habitant Of a tornado-fTequeuted district must
be watchful in the season of visitafions, for he
can never know when the destruction will
coma upon him. On the first sign Of the APP
preaching vortex, he must run-alwsys to the
north, unless in going in that direction he will
have to cross the entire path Of the storm. II
he IS nearer to the southern edge than to the
center Of the probable path, he may &C south.
bearing slightly east; but in no event should
he ever run directly 10 the east OF northeast.
1t is impossible to save any building that may
! lay in the path OF the tornado, or any prop
er;y that cannot be got out Of Its way. No
material. no method of construction can be
competent to resist the raging destruction
Nothing rising above the ground can escape
it. The most practicable measure of precau-
ton is to construct " dug-out at some suit
able point, within easy distance from the
house; to serve as place Of refuge or shelter.
The retreat should be entirely under ground,
with a roof at least three feet thick, not rising
above the surface of the earth, and entered
from the northern or eastern side. A " cellar
cave" may he contracted from the cellar, if
the house has one, to serve as substitute for
the " dug-oul" It should be exeavated from
the west wall Of the cellar, towards the west,
and should be made as complete and secure as
the "dug-out." II, however, the storm can
not be escaped, if no refuge is at hand, or there
is not time TO get 10 1t, the safest thing TO do
1 is TO place ones self against the west wall Of
Of the cellar, face forward, or against the
south wall. as near the southwest corner as
possible The northeast quarter Is IN any case
fatal position, and should always be avoided.
If one is actually overtRken by the tornado,
his only resource is 10 cast himself face down
ward upon the ground, with his head TO the
east and his arms thrown over his head 10 pro-
teci it. II q stump or large stone, or any thing
heavy, that the wind will not blow over, Is
near, he may get a triiie Of protection by
throwing himself to the eastward Of II. II IN
house with 20 cellar, be should get into the
west room, on the ground floor if possible, and
away from all stoves and heavy furniture. The
people Of towns might find II TO their advan
! tsge to provide for having watch, 10 be on
duly on all days when the air bears the pre-
mOniteTy symptoms Of violent wind storm,
70 give a signal TO the whole population on the
appearance of the first real threatening signs.
The signs OF the formation and approach Of .
tornado cloud are distinct and sufficiently sug-
gestive to afford opportunity for timely con
ceried action. Sergeant Finley Is continuing
his investigations Of the phenomena OF tOrna-
does, and be has prepared three full schedules
Of minute inquiries calling for the facts atten-
dant upon the appearance of the storms, which
be sends TO persons who were within the path
Of ore, who were on the outer edge Of the path,
and who were from ten 10 one hundred miles
from it.-PopuiGr Science