by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

Sometimes, the silence after the tornado is even more frightening than the actual sounds of the storm. Despite it's power, the tornado has left you alive. You must decide what to do now. There are several steps you can take after a twister to ensure your safety, the safety of others and began to rebuild the lives that were changed due this terrible tornado.

The first thing you should do is nothing. Do nothing until you are sure it is safe and you are uninjured. If you are injured, do not try to get up. If you are trapped, stay where you are. You do not know what is above you and if whatever is above you is stable. Someone will be looking for you soon. Draw attention to yourself. You can do this yelling for help, giving directions to where you believe you are, or by banging on something close by. Be sure whatever it is that you are banging on is sturdy enough to take the banging.

If it is safe and you are unhurt, slowly and carefully start to look around. Be careful of falling debris, downed power lines, and the sharp objects. As much as you may need to smoke a cigarette, fight this urge. Gas lines could broken and this could cause an explosion or a fire.

At this point, the two most important things you should be looking for is other survivors and a way to communicate with others. Call out to other survivors and listen very closely. Their cries may be muffled or the banging sounds may be soft. Pay attention and proceed with caution. Carefully look for a cellular telephone. If you find a land line, try it to see if will work. More than likely, the lines are down or too busy from other emergencies calls, but it worth a try. If it is dark and you do not have a flashlight or other source of light, stay put and call out for help. Wandering around in the dark can be extremely dangerous, possibly deadly.

Be careful of any and all animals, even your own pets. These animals have been traumatized, just as you have. They may behave aggressively no matter how docile they usually are. They may also be injured. The rescue workers on the way will know how to handle them.

Only enter structures if it is absolutely necessary - only to save someones life. You may not be able to tell if they are sound. Just because they look like they are safe, they may topple down at any moment. In fact, I would recommend not entering any building. You will do no one any good if you find yourself trapped as well. Chances are you can do more good by alerting the professionals (firefighters, police,

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