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Brunet Island staff evacuated the campground very efficiently and effectively on the night of the tornado. However, the warning siren never went off in the city of Cornell until after the storm had past!

Today, all park employees and town authorities are taught how to deal with the threat of severe weather. Improvements in technology and planning have made it even easier to prepare for tornadoes. For example,satellite and Doppler radar technology has made tracking storm patterns faster and more accurate. In fact, the park has an instant connection via the internet to monitor oncoming weather on available radar. This makes it possible for people to be warned faster and to make the risk of death and injury from future tornadoes much less.

-photo courtesy www.tooheyworld.com/ index.php/weblog1/C61/

The following information on how to respond before, during and after a tornado is from www.fema.gov/hazards/tornadoes

Before a Tornado: How to Plan

Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.

Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat.

Discuss with family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning."
Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on tornadoes.

MITIGATION
Mitigation includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in preventive mitigation steps now, such as checking local building codes and ordinances about wind-resistant designs and strengthening un reinforced masonry, will help reduce the impact of tornadoes in the future. For more information on mitigation, contact your local emergency management office.

Have disaster supplies on hand:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
  
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
  
• First aid kit and manual
  
• Emergency food and water
  
• Non electric can opener
  
• Essential medicines
  
• Cash and credit cards
  
• Sturdy shoes

Develop an emergency communication plan
In case family members are separated from one another during a tornado (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Tornado Watches and Warnings
A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms. This is time to remind family members where the safest places within your home are located, and listen to the radio or television for further developments.

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

Mobile Homes
Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in a building with a strong foundation.If shelter is not available, lie in ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the unit.

Tornado Danger Signs
Learn these tornado danger signs:

• An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
  
• Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
  
• Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
  

  What to Do During a Tornado

  If at home:

  • If you have a tornado safe room or engineered shelter go there immediately.
    
  • Go at once to a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.
    
  • If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
    
  • Get away from the windows.
    
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
    
  • Use arms to protect head and neck.
    
  • If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

  If at work or school:

  • Go to the area designated in your tornado plan.
    
  • Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
    
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
    
  • Use arms to protect head and neck.

  If outdoors:

  • If possible, get inside a building.
    
  • If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
    
  • Use arms to protect head and neck.

  If in a car:

  • Never try to out-drive a tornado in a car or truck.
    
  • Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
    
  • If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

  After a Tornado

  • Help injured or trapped persons.
    
  • Give first aid when appropriate.
    
  • Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
    
  • Call for help.
    
  • If you smell gas, do not turn on any appliances or switches. This includes using phones, flashlights or a cell phone.
    
  • Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
    
  • Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
    
  • Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
    
  • Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
    
  • Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents--for insurance purposes.

  Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

-all info from fema.gov

Here is an example of an Emergency Action Plan that Brunet Island now uses

A. NOAA Weather Radio (162.400Mhz)

1. The weather radio is to be turned on at all times during the camping

season and in the “standby” or “alert” mode when not being listened to.

2. When the weather radio sounds an alarm, office personnel will

immediately notify the officer on duty as to the latest weather alert issued by the National Weather Service.

a. The Cornell Police Department will also contact the

park personnel with the same or similar information. This is done as a back-up alert system.

b. At night and during the off season, the Cornell Police Department will contact the Park Manager at home.

B. Thunderstorm or Tornado Watches

1. A “watch” is used when conditions are right for the development of

severe weather. People are advised to be on the lookout for rapidly

changing weather conditions and to seek shelter if severe weather should develop.

2. The Park officer on duty shall be alert to rapidly changing weather

conditions. Officer discretion shall determine appropriate response to the situation.3. Should severe weather develop, all park employees shall report to the

park office and remain there unless instructed differently by the Park Officer on duty.

C. Severe Thunderstorms or Tornado Warnings

1. A “warning” means that a sever weather has developed and has been confirmed by spotters or radar. People in the warning area should seek shelter.

2. When a warning has been issued for Brunet Island State Park, the

visitors should be notified of the warning in a calm and orderly manner. Visitors shall be informed of the nearest shelters and how to

get to them. It is up to the officers’ discretion to whether or not evacuation of the park is necessary.

3. Patrol Officers should position themselves such that they can monitor

approaching weather systems from the west and southwest.

a. The parking area across from the south campground offers a good view of the west.

4. Evacuation Procedures

a. Alert the visitors of the weather conditions using the

loudspeaker on the squad car and inform them to proceed to the park office for shelter.

b. Remove park vehicles from the shop area to allow room for the evacuating visitors. Leave one overhead door open so visitors can enter the building quickly and safely.

c. Protect state and private property from looting.