A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from the cloud base to the ground. Tornadoes generally travel from west/southwest to east/northeast, but they can travel in any direction and can change their course suddenly. Sometimes tornadoes are preceded by heavy rain, wind, and hail; other times they seem to arise out of relatively clear conditions. Sometimes people hear a loud roar or trainlike sound when a tornado approaches. While tornadoes have occurred in all fifty states, the Midwestern and Southern states have the greatest number. The most violent tornadoes tend to be in the spring, but they can occur any time of the year.
Advances in weather prediction have resulted in fewer tornado-related injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, these advances have led to a false sense of security. If a tornado watch (when atmospheric conditions are favorable for forming a tornado) should become a tornado warning (when a tornado has formed), families should seek shelter quickly. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center has a Tornado FAQ with more information about tornadoes.
Impact on Children and Families
A tornado threatens the usual assumptions of safety. The winds and flying debris can disrupt telephone lines and other utilities, breaking down communication. A powerful storm can blow off the roofs of houses, break windows, blow open doors, split trees in two, and destroy entire homes. Leaving shelter is dangerous, as windblown items such as shards of glass, parts of houses, and uprooted trees can cause sudden injury or death.
Tornadoes are unusual storms, as their path is often erratic. In the same neighborhood, some houses may be leveled completely while others sustain little damage. While scattered destruction can be easier on the community than that of a flood or a hurricane—in that not all community resources may be used up—the inconsistent pattern of damage can cause feelings of guilt in those spared or unfairness in those recovering. Children may develop unusual ideas or myths about why a tornado did or did not hit their home.
Children may see anxiety and fear in parents and caregivers who are usually confident. They may lose their homes and cherished pets, memorabilia, and toys. They may see collapsed or damaged buildings—including their schools or familiar community landmarks. They may encounter rubble, debris, or other wreckage, and experience the horror of seeing severely injured people or dead bodies.
As with other natural disasters, there may be a spectrum of psychological casualties. Individuals with preexisting emotional and behavioral problems may get worse if their support systems fail, they run out of medications, and/or their routine destabilizes. Others may develop chronic emotional and behavioral problems following exposure to pervasive stresses, such as the loss of community infrastructure, home or employment, or family or friends. In addition, emotional and physical exhaustion may affect individuals or families' ability to recover counselor ceus
Children and adults frequently experience traumatic reminders, during which they suddenly relive and reexperience the emotions, fears, thoughts, and perceptions, they experienced at the time of the tornado. Typical traumatic reminders include tornado watches and warnings, thunderstorms, dark clouds, high winds, and hail.
Common emotional reactions of children and family members exposed to a tornado include:
•Feelings of insecurity, unfairness, anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, despair, and worries about the future
•Fear that another tornado will occur
•Believing myths or folklore as to the cause of the tornado
•Disruptive behaviors, irritability, temper tantrums, agitation, or hyperactivity
•Clinging/dependent behaviors or avoidant and phobic symptoms
•Physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, headaches, loss of appetite, nightmares, or sleep problems
•Increased concerns regarding the safety of family members, friends, and loved ones
•School-based problems, with decreased motivation and school performance
Adolescents may differ from younger children in how they respond to a tornado or other natural disaster. Some believe they will not live long and may exhibit:
•Socially withdrawn, angry, or irritable
•Risky behavior
•Conflict with authority
