Tornado Safety at School

American schools shelter 50+ million students during severe weather. Getting tornado safety right at school matters enormously - and the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado (which killed 7 children at Plaza Towers Elementary) reshaped safety expectations nationwide.

Where to Shelter at School

Best: FEMA-Rated Safe Room

Purpose-built tornado shelter designed to withstand 250 mph winds. Increasingly common in Oklahoma and Kansas schools after 2013. Cost: $200-$500 per person to construct.

Second Best: Interior Hallway or Bathroom

Small interior spaces with multiple walls between students and the outside. First floor if possible. Away from all windows.

Third Best: Small Interior Rooms

Classrooms without windows on interior of the building. Better than gyms or auditoriums.

Never shelter in a gymnasium, auditorium, or cafeteria during a tornado. Large clear-span rooms have long roof spans that fail catastrophically. Multiple deaths have occurred in these spaces (Plaza Towers Elementary 2013, Enterprise High School 2007).

The Plaza Towers Tragedy

On May 20, 2013, the Moore, Oklahoma EF5 tornado destroyed Plaza Towers Elementary School. Seven children died in the collapse of a hallway. The event reshaped tornado safety policy:

Oklahoma passed the "Sooner Safe" school shelter grant program
Dozens of Oklahoma school districts installed safe rooms in the years after
Multiple states passed legislation requiring shelter reviews for schools
FEMA published updated school safety guidance (FEMA P-361)

Shelter Position for Students

The recommended sheltering position during a tornado warning:

Kneel down, face toward wall
Head down, tucked between knees
Hands clasped behind neck to protect head and neck
Away from windows - broken glass is a major injury source
Wear a helmet if available - bicycle helmets are commonly kept in school shelter areas

School Drill Best Practices

Every school should:

Conduct at least 2 tornado drills per school year
Drill in different classes/schedules to build muscle memory
Time the drill - target under 3 minutes to shelter
Include realistic disruptions (loud thunder, simulated warnings)
Debrief afterward with staff and students
Communicate procedures to parents

Warning Systems in Schools

NOAA weather radio in main office - required in tornado-prone states
Emergency alert integration with local sirens and NWS
Staff communication protocol - who monitors weather, who initiates shelter
Parent notification system - SMS alerts about warnings and dismissals

Dismissal During Warnings

Do NOT dismiss students during a tornado warning. Children in vehicles or walking home are exponentially more vulnerable. Keep students in the school shelter until the warning is officially lifted.

Many parents rush to schools during tornado warnings to pick up children. School staff should:

Discourage pickups during active warnings
Refuse to release students if unsafe
Communicate proactively via texting systems
Have designated waiting areas for parents during warnings

Younger Students and Special Needs

Assign teachers to specific students during drills (buddy system)
Have wheelchair-accessible shelter routes identified in advance
Practice with students who have mobility, sensory, or cognitive disabilities
Ensure medications, oxygen, and mobility devices reach shelter

Safety Advocacy for Parents

Parents should:

Ask their school about its designated shelter location
Ask how many drills are conducted per year
Ask about weather monitoring procedures
Advocate for FEMA-rated safe room construction if your school lacks one
Support state and local storm shelter grant programs

Notable School Tornado Events

Plaza Towers Elementary, Moore, OK 2013 - 7 children died
Enterprise High School, AL 2007 - 8 students died
Xenia High School, OH 1974 - school destroyed, no students killed (school year over)
De Soto, IL 1925 - Tri-State tornado - 33 children died
Belvidere High School, IL 1967 - 24 children died on school buses

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