There is a tornado warning on. My mother just told me she heard it on the radio.
What is a tornado warning?
It means that a tornado has been seen somewhere in the area.
Really? In New Berlin?
No. Not necessarily in town. But in southern Wisconsin somewhere. A tornado has been spotted. They have two stages here. This is what is called a tornado watch. That means that the weather conditions are perfect for a tornado.
I understand. They think a tornado might come.
Yes. People should look out, because maybe there will be tornadoes coming. So it's called a watch.
And the second stage is called a tornado warning.
Yes. If a tornado has been spotted, they announce a tornado warning. So if there's a tornado warning on, it means a tornado is out there somewhere.
It's scary.
Well. Tornadoes can be dangerous, it's true. If we hear something like a loud train coming, then we have to go in the basement.
What do you mean a loud train?
That is what tornadoes sound like. They sound like trains. They're very loud.
But if you hear them coming, isn't it already too late?
Maybe. It depends on the tornado. Some can move across the ground at 200 miles an hour. That is very fast. Others aren't so fast.
Have you seen a lot of them?
I've only seen one in my life. I was looking out the window. It was around two miles away. It was very interesting to watch. But it was heading toward my friend's house. So I quickly called them on the phone.
Did it hit their house?
No, it didn't. But they are glad I called them.
What were they doing when you called?
They were all sitting in the living room watching TV. They had no idea a tornado was coming toward their house. If it had hit them, they could have all been killed.
That's terrible. Do many people die in tornadoes?