The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-30
How to Act In a tornado.

Sergeant John Z. Finley. Signal Service Of
fcer at Kansas City, Mo-, has published, in a
pamphlet on tornadoes, some useful direc-
tons concerning the course 10 be taken TO es-
cape the dangers of those terrible forces. The
Inhabitants OF a acknowledgements district
must be watchful in the season of visitations,
for he can never know when the destruction
will come npon him. On the first
sign of the approaching vortex he must run
always 10 the north, unless by going in
that direction he will have to cross the entire
path of the storm. If he is nearer to the
southern edge than to the center of the prob
able path, he may 60 south, bearing slightly
east; but in no event should he ever run
directly to the east or northeast. It is i'm
possible 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 be COM
petent TO resist the raging destruc-
ton. Nothing rising above the ground
can escape it. The most practicable
measure of precaution is TO construct dug
OUT at some suitable point within easy dis
lance from the house, TO serve as q place of
refuge or shelter. The retreat should be en-
tirely underground with roof at least three
feet thick, not rising above the surface of
the earth, and entered from the northern or
eastern side. A ''cellar-caye" may be con-
structed frcm the cellar, if the house has
one, 10 serve aS u SUBSTITUTE IOr IQe dug
out" 1t should be excaYated from the west
wall of the cellar toward the west, and
should be made as complete
and secure as the "dug-out." If,
however, the storm can not be escaped, If no
refuge is at hand or there is not time to get
it, the safest thing to do is TO place ones self
against the west wall of the cellsr face for
ward. or against the south wall as near the
southwest corner as possible. The NOR heast
corner is, in any case, a fatal position, and
should always be avoided. If one is actual
ly OYertaken by the tornado his only course
is to cast himself face downward upon the
ground. with his mead to the east and his
RTms thrown over his head to protect it.
II a stump or large stone. or anything heavy
that the wind will not blow over,
throwing himself to the eastward of it. Ii
in house with no cellar he should get into
the west room on the ground floor il posi-
bic, and away from all stoves and heavy
furniture. The people Of towns might find
it to their advantage to provide for having
a watch to be on duty on all days when the
air bears the promonitoTy symptoms of q
violent wind storm to give q signal to the
whole population on the appearance of the
first real threa tening signs. The signs of
the formation and approach Of tornado
cloud are distinct and sufficiently
suggestive to offord opportunity fort imely
and concerted action. Sergeant Finley IS
continuing his investigations of the phe-
nOmena OF tornadoes, and he has prepared
three full schedules OF minute inquiries call
ing for the facts attendant upon the appear
ance Of the storms. which he sends to per-
sons who were within the path Of one, who
were ON the outer edge of the path, and who
were from ten to one hundred miles from il,