Our vision is to intercede on behalf of the disabled and elderly through prior planning, education and networking in the communities of Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, and Ashtabula Counties for disaster preparation, relief and evacuation. We will work to make accommodations for them, as well as teaching people with disabilities themselves how to prepare for a disaster.

We assist in training both consumers and the community about awareness of people with disabilities in preparing for an emergency. We provide information to consumers on how to prepare for a disaster in the home and or outside the home. Also, WRILC works to inform community members of the preparedness measures that should be taken to provide assistance to those with disabilities that need it.

Tornado Safety Information

• Hail is closely related to tornadoes! Large hail may precede a tornado, so the areas adjacent to areas of hail are a good candidate for a tornado to form. Seek appropriate shelter and remain in the shelter until well after the hail has stopped, about half an hour until the storm has moved away.
• Opening a window in a house with the idea of reducing damage from tornadoes is a myth! Most buildings have sufficient ventilation to allow the sudden drop in atmospheric pressure related to tornadoes. It is a myth that opening a window will allow air pressure to equalize with outside air pressure. Actually, opening the wrong window can increase the air damage.
• Most deaths from tornadoes are caused by flying debris. Stay in the center of a building away from the windows and exterior doors. Bathrooms and closets offer good protection if a basement is not available. Bathrooms have added support from pipes. Large rooms are more likely to have a roof collapse.
• Tornado wind speeds increase with height within the tornado. Storm cellars and basements offer the best protection from tornadoes. In high rise buildings, occupants should try to reach the lowest floor and take shelter in small rooms or stairwells.
• An approaching tornado may sound like a loud roar, such as that from a freight train or airplane. At night or in heavy rains, the only clue to a tornado may be the roar of loud winds.
• Although most tornadoes occur in the afternoon, they can occur at any time of the day or night.
• The key to survival is awareness and planning. All members of the household should know where the safest areas of the house are. Make sure everyone knows that they may only have seconds of warning and that they must never hesitate or pause to grab toys or valuables. Perhaps the most important rule is to run for cover.

Here are some short lessons on Emergency Preparedness.

• Lesson 1
• Lesson 2
• Lesson 3
• Lesson 4
• Lesson 5
• Lesson 6