Pupil Transportation

Tornadoes

Every driver of a school bus should have some basic knowledge of tornado information and the precautionary measures to take when a warning or a sighting is made.

1. What is a tornado?
   Answer: A tornado is a violently rotating column of air descending from a thunderstorm cloud and touching the ground. It nearly always starts as a funnel-shaped rotating extension from a thunderstorm cloud, builds downward to the ground and grows dark as it picks up debris.
2. Under what conditions do most tornadoes occur?
   Answer: Tornadoes form several thousand feet above the earth's surface, usually during warm, humid, unsettled weather, and usually in conjunction with a severe thunderstorm. They require the presence of layers of air with contrasting characteristics of temperature, moisture, density and wind flow.
3. During what time of day are tornadoes most likely to develop?
   Answer: Tornadoes are most likely to occur at mid-afternoon, generally between 3 and 7 p.m., but they have occurred at all times of the day.
4. What direction does a tornado move?
   Answer: Usually from southwest to northeast.
5. What is the length of a tornado's path?
   Answer: Tornadoes generally average about 4 miles, but may reach 300 miles. A tornado traveled 293 miles across Illinois and Indiana on May 26, 1917, and lasted 7 hours, 20 minutes
6. How wide is their path?
   Answer: It averages about 300 to 400 yards, but tornadoes have cut swaths a mile and more in width.
7. How fast do they travel?
   Answer: Average speed of a tornado is from 25 to 40 miles per hour, but speeds ranging from stationary to 68 miles per hour have been reported.
8. Is it true that if it rains there is no chance of a tornado?
   Answer: No!! Precipitation associated with the tornado usually occurs first as rain just preceding the storm, frequently with hail, and as a heavy downpour immediately to the left of the tornado's path.
9. Can you hear a tornado?
   Answer: DEFINITELY YES!! A tornado has been described as a roaring, rushing noise, closely approximating that made by a train speeding through a tunnel or over a trestle, or the roar of many airplanes.
10. What is meant by a tornado watch?
    Answer: A watch indicates an area in which atmospheric weather conditions exist from which a tornado could develop. Tornado watch bulletins always state that severe thunderstorm activity is also expected. A severe thunderstorm is one containing either damaging winds (surface gusts greater than 75 miles per hour) or hailstones at least 3/4 inch in diameter at the surface of the ground or both.
11. What is meant by a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning?
    Answer: A warning is issued when a tornado or severe thunderstorm has been sighted in the area by severe weather spotters or radar.
12. What precautions should a school bus driver take when tornado conditions exit?
    Answer:
    1. Abide by local district policy where applicable.
    2. Be aware that the spring and fall months are most conducive to tornado activity
    3. Severe weather conditions should be discussed with authorized school officials before leaving the school; particularly if the area is under a Tornado Watch.
    4. If a Tornado Warning is in effect, buses should not be loaded and students should remain in the assigned shelter areas inside the school building.
13. What should a school bus driver do if a tornado is sighted when on the route?
    Answer:
    1. The driver should be aware of any or all areas along the route, such as caves, basements, concrete bridges, and other substantial structures that could be used as a tornado shelter.
    2. If an adequate shelter area cannot be reached without further endangering the students, a ditch or depression in the immediate vicinity will have to be used. Evacuate the students into the shelter area, being sure that the bus has been positioned far enough, and in a direction, away from the students so that the wind will not overturn the bus onto them.
    3. If a tornado funnel is sighted, it is best to evacuate the students from the bus immediately into an appropriate shelter. Trying to outrun a tornado would not be a wise decision.
    4. Radios (AM, FM, or two-way) or other communication equipment should be in operation at all times during threatening weather conditions. Even a portable transistor radio is better than nothing during these threatening periods.

Blizzards

School bus drivers are faced many times with emergency situations during the winter months. Even with the most modern equipment and improved roads, winter weather can cause the most experienced driver much concern.

The following precautionary measures and emergency procedures should be considered by drivers prior to the winter months:

1. Precautionary Measures:
   1. Drivers should acquire knowledge of existing and possible weather conditions.
   2. Drivers should acquire knowledge of weather bureau terminology.
   3. If possible, start trip with a full tank of gas.
   4. Check exhaust system for leaks.
   5. If possible, notify parents when students will arrive home early.
   6. Arrange for parents to call the next parents on the route and inform them of bus location.
   7. Do not alter routes without authorization of school officials.
   8. NO ONE should be allowed to leave the bus at any time, including the driver, except at regular stops.
   9. Emergency items carried on the bus during severe weather might include, but not limited to:
      1. Shovel
      2. Large box of facial tissue
      3. Plastic scraper
      4. Towel - paper or cloth
      5. Blizzard bucket - 2 or more one-gallon cans with plastic covers (empty 3- pound coffee cans) to be used for toilet facilities. These buckets can be used to store candy or other non-perishable food items which would be most welcome on a bus marooned for a period of time;
      6. Two or three blankets to use as partitions for temporary rest rooms on the bus;
      7. Box of old newspapers
      8. Other items which might be considered are a catalytic heater to supplement or replace engine heat, booster cables, and a tow chain or cable.
2. Emergency Procedures:
   1. If bus is stuck and the engine is running, check for exhaust fumes. It may be necessary to open windows slightly for fresh air.
   2. The driver should remain calm and let searchers locate the bus. If precautionary measures E, F, and G are followed, the marooned time can be greatly reduced.
   3. Driver and students should stay in the bus and keep dry.
   4. If there is no heat in the bus, have students clap hands, do isometric exercises, or other activities to simulate circulation.
   5. If stalled on the roadway, keep flashing lights going for as long as possible.
   6. Drivers: don't over exert and be a dead hero.

Floods

Precautionary Measures and procedures

1. Never drive through water when unsure of the roadbed or hidden depressions or objects.
2. After a flood, unless the road has been traveled, bridge approaches and bridges should be checked before crossing.
3. Don't allow students to walk through water if the depth is unknown.
4. Check brakes periodically if driving through deep water that might get into the brakes.

Agrichemical

Precautionary Measures and Procedures

The driver should be alert to locations where agrichemicals are being used along the route and watch for potential hazards.

1. Portable tanks being towed or carried on other vehicles may release fumes (that are not visible) when involved in an accident.
2. Bulk stations may also release deadly fumes.
3. Be aware of aerial spraying. Insecticides can be harmful to humans, as well as insects.
4. If any of the above conditions are encountered, all windows and vents on the bus should be closed.