Being outdoors when a tornado warning fires is dangerous. Cars, tents, temporary shelters, and open spaces are all inadequate. Here's what to actually do if you can't reach a proper building - the last-resort actions that can save your life.
If any permanent building is within a few minutes' distance, get inside. In order of preference:
Even the smallest, cheapest permanent building is dramatically safer than being outdoors.
Find the lowest terrain feature you can - a ditch, culvert, or ravine. Lie flat, face down. Cover your head with your arms.
Being flat means:
Trees fall during tornadoes and can crush you. Even large trees fail at EF2+ winds. Do not shelter under or near trees.
Lakes, rivers, and ponds create dangerous debris paths. Water bodies also don't stop tornadoes as some myths suggest.
The wind tunnel effect ACCELERATES tornado winds under overpasses. Multiple people have died sheltering under overpasses. This is one of the most dangerous myths in tornado safety.
Cars can be lifted, thrown, and destroyed by tornadoes. If a tornado is imminent, abandon the vehicle. Full car safety guide →
Do not attempt to escape a tornado in a vehicle if visibility is poor - you may be driving toward it without knowing.
Do not linger to observe or photograph a tornado. Every second matters.
Stadiums and outdoor venues have shelter protocols. Follow venue instructions to enter concourses and interior spaces. Move to lowest level of the venue.
Tents and RVs are NOT safe during tornadoes. Move to permanent structures - camp bathrooms, park offices, or nearby buildings. If no shelter, use the ditch method.
Move to permanent buildings if any are available. Fair rides, tents, and carnival structures are all unsafe.
Park protocols direct guests to designated shelter buildings during severe weather. Get to those buildings quickly.
Return to the clubhouse. Golf carts, gazebos, and open areas are dangerous. Do not shelter in the "lightning shelter" boxes that dot some courses - they're for lightning, not tornadoes.
Move to permanent buildings ashore. Boats are dangerous during tornado conditions. If water bodies produce waterspouts, treat them as tornado equivalents on shore.
If lying in a ditch is your only option:
Ditch sheltering is a last resort - it doesn't guarantee survival, but statistically it's better than remaining in a vehicle or exposed area.
If in a vehicle with clear visibility and enough time:
Only attempt this if you have clear line-of-sight to the tornado and safe driving conditions.
If possible, get pets into your shelter with you. Carrying pets during tornado escape is difficult but preferable to leaving them.
Carry small children if possible. Cover them with your body while lying flat if in a ditch.
Plan in advance for helping those with mobility limitations. Communicate about tornado response before events, not during warnings.