by Margaret Shauers

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 19, 2008

Last year a tornado destroyed at least 90% of Greensburg, Kansas that is not far from my home. Only a few years before, about 50-70% of Hoisington, Kansas was destroyed. Hoisington is only 10 miles away and, like many others, I did what I could to help. I know a lot of victims in both towns and learned a great deal about the aftermath of a tornado.

As another writer stated, many actual injuries occur after the tornado has flown on to other areas. Don't add your injury, or that of someone you are trying to help,to the number.

If you are trapped, try to alert others. Cell phones tend to work the best for communication because landlines go down. So do cells if towers are hit or if you are trapped under a lot of rubble. Use anything you have to bang on metal or something else rescue workers will hear. Don't tear away building parts to do so; it might weaken the structure further. If you fear you have a back or head injury, be very careful. Likewise, don't move anyone else who might suffer worse trauma from moving - unless, of course, the structure is actually falling in on you.

Hopefully, you had a tornado kit in your place of shelter-a change of long sleeved and long-pants clothing, battery powered radio and lantern (candles and cigarette lighters only as a totally last resort; fire ignition is all to possible since gas lines usually rupture and explosion and fires are frequent after-effects), plus bottled water. Also something not often mentioned...what used to be called a "honey bucket," something to hold human excrement. A bottle of Lysol or other disinfectant is a good idea, too, for health reasons. Have a first aid kit, along with scissors and anything else you might need to treat wounds. Definitely have a bottle of alcohol and one of peroxide somewhere that is easy to reach.

In truly bad tornadoes, it can take a few days for rescue workers to check and double check each former dwelling. Stash more water than you think you can possibly use in your area of shelter, be that a basement or inside bathroom. Definitely have a cache of canned or dehydrated food. Don't forget to keep an extra can opener in your shelter. I can think of nothing worse than being trapped starving and not being able to open one of the tins you so carefully put away.

If you can get outside safely, do so. Don't go far until rescue workers arrive. Downed power lines and ruptured gas mains are a true danger. Never use a cigarette or other "lighting" device until you know for sure that gas has

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