Safety & Emergency Natural Disasters 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a tornado WARNING mean as opposed to a tornado WATCH?
- A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar (take shelter now) (Correct answer)
- Conditions are favorable for tornadoes
- A tornado has touched down somewhere in the county
- Winds have exceeded 60 mph
Correct answer: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar (take shelter now)
A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been spotted visually or indicated by Doppler radar and is imminent — you should take shelter immediately.
Question 2: Where is the safest place to shelter during a tornado inside a building?
- Interior room on the lowest floor away from windows (Correct answer)
- Near a window to monitor the storm
- On the top floor of a concrete building
- In a hallway near exterior walls
Correct answer: Interior room on the lowest floor away from windows
The lowest floor, interior room without windows (bathroom, closet, or hallway) provides the most protection from flying debris and structural collapse.
Question 3: What is the 30-30 rule for lightning safety?
- Seek shelter if lightning-to-thunder is 30 seconds or less; wait 30 minutes after last thunder (Correct answer)
- A storm is dangerous if thunder arrives within 30 seconds; stay inside 30 hours
- Count 30 seconds before running 30 feet to shelter
- Lightning strikes within 30 miles; wait 30 minutes
Correct answer: Seek shelter if lightning-to-thunder is 30 seconds or less; wait 30 minutes after last thunder
The 30-30 rule: if thunder arrives within 30 seconds of lightning (storm is 6 miles away), take shelter; wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
Question 4: After a flood, when is it safe to use electrical equipment that was submerged?
- Only after a qualified electrician inspects and approves it (Correct answer)
- Once it air-dries completely
- After 24 hours of drying
- Immediately if it powers on normally
Correct answer: Only after a qualified electrician inspects and approves it
Flood-damaged electrical equipment must be inspected by a qualified electrician before use because internal corrosion and residue can cause fires or electrocution.
Question 5: What is the leading cause of flood-related deaths in the United States?
- Vehicle-related drowning (driving into floodwater) (Correct answer)
- Being swept away on foot
- Structural collapse
- Electrocution from downed lines
Correct answer: Vehicle-related drowning (driving into floodwater)
Over half of all US flood fatalities occur when people drive their vehicles into flooded roadways — just 12 inches of water can sweep a vehicle away.
Question 6: What is a wildfire defensible space?
- A buffer zone of reduced vegetation around a structure that slows fire spread (Correct answer)
- A metal roof or fire-resistant siding material
- An underground shelter beneath a structure
- A community evacuation staging area
Correct answer: A buffer zone of reduced vegetation around a structure that slows fire spread
Defensible space is a buffer zone created by removing or reducing flammable vegetation around a building to slow fire spread and allow firefighters to defend the structure.
Safety & Emergency Natural Disasters 2
What does a tornado WARNING mean as opposed to a tornado WATCH?