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, rescue workers, etc.) than by doing something yourself. They will be arriving shortly with all the necessary training and equipment to handle this emergency. Remember, never leave children unattended!
If you must go into a building, proceed with extreme caution. Once you are in the building, if you hear or see any signs of collapse, get out immediately. Again, you being trapped doesn't help the situation. If you find a survivor, do not try to move them. Do not try to move anything that is keeping them trapped. This can cause more debris to fall on them. You also do not know the extent of their injuries or if what you are needing to move has impaled itself in the person. This would only cause more injury. Assure the person help is on the way and go back outside to alert the emergency personnel who are on their way. Remember as much as possible about their location and share these details with the emergency personnel when they arrive. Do not give them anything to drink or eat. This could be extremely dangerous to them. Be sure of what you are doing before administering any type of first aid. Do not make matters worse by doing something when you aren't sure what to do or how to do it.
Do not drink the water! Do not eat any food you find. It could be contaminated. Rescue workers and others helping will have water and food for you. Some organizations charge for them, but the Salvation Army always offers free water and snacks for survivors of disasters.
Contact friends and loved ones as soon as possible, letting them know that what has happened and how you and your family are doing. Ask for their help. This is no time to let pride stand in the way.
Speak with rescue workers and helpers (organizations that send volunteers to disasters) about any needs you have. These people know how to help you and wouldn't be there if they weren't eager to do all they could to assist you in your time of need. Immediate needs include medical attention (even if you think you aren't hurt), shelter, food, water, and clothing. They are specially trained to help with legal matters (insurance, lost deeds/titles, missing credit cards, etc.) and will have the necessary paperwork for you to fill out. Ask them any questions you have about the paperwork. Do not ever write "uninjured" on any paperwork until long after the incident. Injuries can take quite a while, several weeks sometimes, to show up. Speak with the counselors that are made available to you. It won't hurt anything to share your thoughts and feelings with someone trained to help you deal with them.
Pay attention to those around you. Disasters brings out the best of people. And, the worst. Looters often arrive shortly after a tornado and take advantage of people. Also, be careful of those who seem too willing to help and are asking too many personal and financial questions. Do not give out any personal information to anyone who does not show you proper identification. Identity thieves live for such circumstances.
Take special care of your children. They are frightened and sad, traumatized in ways adults could never understand. Make sure they get the help they need immediately after the tornado and in the coming months and, possibly, years. Listen to them. Calm them. Reassure them. This is the time for lots of hugs and kisses. Keep them close to you and let them help as much as possible with what you are doing to recover. This will help them deal with their loss, too.
Once emergency personnel has arrived and the area has been searched for survivors, downed powers lines and other obvious dangers, it is now time to began rebuilding your life. As much as you want to search for pictures and your child's favorite toys, the first thing you should look for is your medications and legal papers. Be careful if you move any debris. When in doubt, don't move it. Let the rescue workers help you. That is what they are there for and they are trained to handle this type of situation.
When searching through debris, try to wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts. Shoes that cover your entire foot (no sandals) and gloves should also be worn. If this is not possible, be as careful as possible when conducting your search. Ask the rescue workers and helpers for any items that you need to help in your recovery efforts.
After a tornado, your life if turned upside down, literally and figuratively. The first few moments after the twister, your only concern should be your personal safety and well-being. Then you should turn your attention to others in need. Be careful of your physical, emotional and financial well-being at all times. Take special care of your children. As with all things, this too shall pass. You life will return to normal, eventually. It will take time. You will forever be changed, but this not necessarily a bad thing. Be thankful for who and what you have and the help you receive. Your rebuilt life is starting; enjoy as much of it as possible.