Surviving a tornado depends on where you are when the warning is issued. This comprehensive guide covers every location scenario - home, mobile home, car, school, work, restaurant, store, outdoors - with the specific actions that maximize your chances of survival.
Regardless of location:
Under stairwell, under sturdy workbench, or in central corner of basement. Away from windows and exterior walls.
Center of basement, under sturdy structure. Not near windows or under a garage.
Small interior room on lowest floor - bathroom, closet, or hallway. Away from all external walls.
Interior bathroom often best. Bathtub can provide additional protection. Cover with mattress or blankets. Small span (bathroom ceiling short) helps structural integrity.
Central closet on lowest floor. Away from external walls. Under stairs works well.
Interior hallway on lowest floor. Away from doors. Get low.
Mobile homes are extremely dangerous during tornadoes. EF0 tornadoes can destroy them.
Every mobile home community should have community shelter. Know location. Practice getting there.
Neighbors' homes, church, business, school. Substantial structure.
FEMA-certified shelter installed near mobile home. Best long-term solution.
If tornado imminent and no shelter available: get to lowest area, lie flat, cover head.
Drive to sturdy shelter - restaurant, gas station, church. Get out of car and go inside.
If NOT in path of tornado:
If tornado is close:
Overpasses are NOT tornado shelter. Wind actually accelerates under them. Multiple deaths have occurred.
Follow the drill you practiced. Different schools have different plans.
Get to interior hallway. Sit facing wall. Cover head.
Get to lowest floor.
Duck-and-cover position. Face away from windows. Hands over back of neck.
Bathroom, break room, interior corridor. Get away from windows.
Large open buildings are dangerous. Interior offices or bathrooms better than large open areas.
Interior stairwell can be excellent shelter - structurally strong.
Duck and cover position regardless of location.
Get to lowest floor of building. If your unit isn't on lowest floor, go to lower unit.
Bathroom, hallway, closet. Away from windows and exterior walls.
Some apartment complexes have community shelters. Know location.
Interior bathroom is often best. Small, sturdy structure.
Away from windows. Under sturdy structures.
Walk-in freezers/coolers are extremely sturdy structures - excellent shelter.
Sales floors with large open spans are dangerous. Get away from them.
Venues have emergency procedures. Follow instructions.
Get inside if outdoor venue. Interior rooms of buildings are safer.
If shelter unavailable, get under sturdy structure. Avoid crowds crushing into small spaces.
Trees blown down cause many outdoor deaths.
Cars can be lifted.
Building debris flies.
Ditch, creek bed, culvert, or ravine. Lie face down. Cover head.
Power lines, signs, trees, buildings can fall on you.
Wake sleeping family. Notify all household members.
NOAA radio, flashlight, phone charger, medications, sturdy shoes. Get to shelter.
All family in shelter. Blankets/mattresses covering. Hard hats on.
Listen to radio. Wait for all-clear. Don't emerge too early.
Multiple tornadoes possible. Don't emerge based on lull.
Assess family. Call 911 if needed.
Buildings can collapse. Stay away.
Treat all wires as live and dangerous.
Photos for insurance if safe to do so.
Modern tornado warning systems combined with proper sheltering result in high survival rates. Most tornado deaths result from either:
Good preparation and prompt response to warnings save lives.
Survival depends on where you are when the tornado warning is issued. Every location has best-practice sheltering. Know your options. Practice getting to shelter. Have supplies ready. Respond immediately to warnings. Most tornado deaths are preventable with proper preparation.
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