Dixie County Emergency Management Disaster Planning
County Offices
County Services
DISASTER PLANNING: TORNADOS
Tornadoes come in all shapes and sizes and can occur anywhere in the U.S. at any time of the year. In the southern states, peak tornado season is March through May, while peak months in the northern states are during the summer.
What to Do During a Tornado
Tornadoes are one of nature's most violent storms. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported across the United States, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A tornado is as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. the most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
| If you are in: | then: |
|---|---|
| A structure (e.g. residence, small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, high-rise building) | Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows. |
| A vehicle, trailer, or mobile home | Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes. |
| the outside with no shelter | Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your
hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries. |
| Gale | (40-72 mph); light damage. Some damage to chimneys; break branches off trees; push over shallow-rooted trees; damage to sign boards. |
| Moderate | (73-112 mph); moderate damage. The lower limit is the beginning of hurricane wind speed; peel surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned; moving autos pushed off the roads. |
| Significant | (113-157 mph); considerable damage. roofs torn off frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars pushed over; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated. |
| Severe | (158-206 mph); Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn off well-constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forest uprooted; heavy cars lifted off ground and thrown. |
| Devasting | (207-260 mph); Devastating damage. Well-constructed houses leveled; structure with weak foundation blown off some distance; cars thrown and large missiles generated. |
| Incredible | (261-318 mph); Incredible damage. Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and carried considerable distance to disintegrate; automobile sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 yards; trees debarked; incredible phenomena will occur. |
Additional Disaster Information
Disaster Planning DIXIE COUNTY 411
PHONE BOOK |
| Clerk of Court Phone:352.498.1200 Fax:352.498.1201 |
| Commissioner Office Phone:352.498.1206 Fax:352.498.1207 |
| County Attorney Phone:352.498.5048 Fax:386.294.1689 |
| County Building Dept. Phone:352.498.1236 Fax:352.498.1286 |
| County Finance Office Phone:352.498.1205 Fax:352.498.1476 |
| County Health Dept. Phone:352.498.1360 Fax:352.498.1363 |
| County Jail Phone:352.498.1237 Fax:352.498. |
| County Judge Phone:352.498.1234 Fax:352.498.1477 |
| County Library Phone:352.498.1219 Fax:352.498.1408 |
| County Manager Phone:352.498.1426 Fax:352.498.1471 |
| County Public Works Phone:352.498.1239 Fax:352.498.1207 |
| Elections Supervisor Phone:352.498.1216 Fax:352.498.1218 |
| Emergency Services Phone:352.498.1240 Fax:352.498.1244 |
| Property Appraiser Phone:352.498.1212 Fax:352.498.1211 |
| School Superintendent Phone:352.498.6131 Fax:352.498.1308 |
| Tax Collector Phone:352.498.1213 Fax:352.498. |
| Sheriff Phone:352.498.1220 Fax:352.498.1226 |
| UF/IFAS Extension Phone:352.498.1237 Fax:352.498.1471 |
| Veteran's Affairs Phone:352.498.1246 Fax:352.498.1286 |