Weather experts to employers: Be ready for tornadoes

State College, PA — This year’s tornado season is predicted to be more active than usual, so experts are urging employers and workers to be prepared – this spring and beyond.

“We’ve seen with climate change that severe weather threats, including tornadoes, are happening outside of the time of year and places that people typically associate with tornadoes,” Jon Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, said in a press release. “Do not be lulled into any false sense of security. There can be a tornado threat anywhere in the country with the right conditions.”

Officials at AccuWeather predict 1,250 to 1,375 tornadoes will strike the United States this year. That range exceeds the usual annual average of 1,225.

Is your workplace prepared? OSHA requires nearly all employers with at least 11 workers to keep a written, comprehensive emergency action plan. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate plans orally.

AccuWeather senior storm warning meteorologist Phil Warren offers emergency preparedness tips. They include:

• If a storm shelter isn’t available, designate an interior, windowless room on the lowest level as a safe room during severe weather.
• Prepare a storm kit with supplies such as bottled water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a first aid kit.

Follow the latest on local weather through media reports or notifications from weather apps, and/or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency calls on everyone to be aware of tornado signs beyond the appearance of a funnel cloud in the sky. Among them:

• Dark clouds or sky that often is brown, green or yellow
• An approaching cloud of debris
• A persistent roaring sound, similar to a freight train