Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-05-31
PROTECTION AGAINST T0RNADOEs.
Warnings About the Way to Act When
Caught in q Storm.

Caught in Storm.
Without entering into scientific Dis
cussion of cyclones, their cause and
origin, it is sufficient to give the follow
ing premonitory signs, easily percepti-
BILE to and comprehended by every one.
On the day of the storm, and for sew
eral hours previous to the appearance
Of the tornado clouds, the atmosphere
IS sultrY and oppressive. Clouds form
first in the southwest, and then almost
Immediately IN the northwest, or vice
versa. If they are light their appear
ance resembles smoke issuing from
burning building, or straW-sSack, roll
ing up in fantastic shapes to great
heights; again, like a fine mist, or quite
white, like fog or steam. These dark
clouds at times present greenish or
copperish hue. Again, they appear jet
black from center to circumference;
and they sometimes present purple or
blush tinge, or, at times, are strangely
lurid, but always with what appears to
be black smoke surrounding them. The
clouds form in the southwe st and north
east, and finally come together with
terrific crash, and then the funnel
shaped tornado cloud appears upon the
western sky, moving boldly to the front
from within the confused mass. A
heavy, roaring noise, like that of
heavily-loaded freight train passing over
bridge or through tunnel, is heard,
and then the cyclone or tornado is upon
you. Now, as some of these signs APP
pear hours in advance of any danger;
o. 4hncn c1n ,4,.v
seasons of the year, from April to Sep
tember, and as they are restricted to
certain sections of country, it would
seem that there ought to be means of
foreseeing them and preventing any
very great loss of life. And there are.
The Signal Service gives this warn
ing: IF caught IN a tornado always
move with all possible dispatch to the
north, unless in so doing you are
obliged to cross the entire path Of the
storm. A glance toward the west will
tell you whether you are on the south
ern edge of the probable path Of the
tornado cloud or more to the north. If
in the center, or halfway between the
center and southern edge, your chances
are best in direct course to the north.
If further to the south, move directly
and very rapidly to the south, bearing
slightly east In no event should you
ever run directly east or northeast.
There is always sufficient time to escape
the tornado, even if it be but few
rods from you, for it's breadth is only
few hundred feet; as a general thing
the tornado cloud is seen at from one
to three miles distance, giving you from
one to three minutes warning-suffi-
cient tine to enable you to get from a
quarter to half mile out of its course.
As for houses, they are no protection,
and are to be stunned in a storm of
this kind. No building has been or is
likely to be devised that can withstand
the force of tornado. A frame
house is better than q brick or
stone ore, because it is more
elastic; and one-story building
more elastic than one of two stories.
But, whatever the style or character of
the house, always leave it if it is in the
path of tornado. The signal service
recommends as the best place of safety
cellar or a dug-out, and many farm
ers in Kansas have constructed these
dug-outs simply holes in the ground,
covered TO protect the inmates from
flying timbers, where they can run in
the event of tornadoes. Under no cir
cumstances, whether in a building or
cellar, ever take q position in a north
east corner, in an east room or against
an east wall, even. Remember, also,
that the tornado invariably moves in
a northeasterly direction. This simple
rule will save nineteen-twentieths of
the lives now sacrificed to the storm
fiend. II forced to remain in your
house, and where you have no cellar,
always take a position against the
west or south wall-the former is the
better-either facing downward upon
the floor or standing with your back to
the wall; and always take your final
position on the first or ground floor.
Never stand or lie in front of a door or
window, near stove or heavy piece
of furniture, and always close your
doors and windows. IF you are out of
the house, avoid forests and groves,
make for the open field, and throw
yourself, face downward, toward the
east, and your arms over your head to
protect it.