A tornado is a type of storm that forms from powerful rotating winds that create a column of air that reaches from a cloud down toward the ground. Here are some key facts about tornadoes for kids:

• Tornadoes are also known as "twisters".
• They are violently spinning, funnel-shaped columns of air that stretch from the dark thunderclouds they form in all the way to the ground.
• The winds of a tornado are the strongest on Earth and can reach speeds of up to 300 miles (500 kilometers) per hour.
• Tornadoes can flatten buildings, destroy bridges, flip trains, and send cars flying. They can even tear the bark off trees and suck all the water from a riverbed.
• Most tornadoes are short-lived and do not cause much damage.
• Tornadoes usually develop during thunderstorms, mainly in the spring and summer.
• Water droplets in the air make the whirling winds of a tornado visible. The visible column is called a funnel cloud.
• If a tornado is near, people should go to a basement or an interior room without windows on the lowest floor such as a bathroom or closet. If you can, get under a sturdy piece of furniture, like a table. If you live in a mobile home, get out. They offer little protection against tornadoes. Get out of automobiles. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car, leave it immediately. If youre outside, go to a ditch or low lying area and lie flat in it.
• After a tornado, people should stay indoors until it is safe to come out. Check for injured or trapped people, without putting yourself in danger. Watch out for downed power lines. Use a flashlight to inspect your home.

It is important to be prepared for a tornado. Here are some tips for staying safe:

• Prepare a safe room. This can be your basement or the lowest room in the center of your house or apartment building, away from outer walls and windows. Window-free closets and bathrooms work well, too.
• Fill the safe room with blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, and your family emergency kit (water, food, flashlight, and radio) .
• Have an emergency safety plan. If you live in a trailer or mobile home, make sure you know where to go to.
• Every school should have a disaster plan and have frequent drills. Basements offer the best protection. Schools without basements should use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor away from windows. Crouch down on your knees and protect your head with your arms.