By Allan Wright
Flying debris is responsible for the most deaths and injuries during a tornado. Although there is no completely safe place to shelter during a tornado, some locations are much safer than others.
Seek shelter under a sturdy table or bench, preferably in a location below ground level. This would likely be the basement of your home.
The sturdy table or bench is required because building materials and other debris often fall into the basement of a home that has been damaged or destroyed by a tornado. Persons under such an object are much more likely to escape injury. Any part of the basement is usually adequate so long as there is something sturdy to get under.
If no basement is available, stay on first floor and locate a small interior room such as a closet or bathroom. Small rooms, with a small floor area, tend to be more structurally sound. Stay away from windows.
When In schools or shopping centers, go to the designated shelters away from outside walls, glass, and large rooms such as a malls or auditorium. Get under a table or counter or in a restroom or small storeroom. DO NOT GO TO YOUR CAR.
In mobile homes, seek safety in a designated safety shelter. As a last resort, lie down in a ditch or depression or culvert. The mobile home is an especially dangerous in very high winds. A typical mobile home, not tied down by guy wires, can be rolled over by strong thunderstorm winds of 60-70 mph. DO NOT STAY IN THE MOBILE HOME.
If you are caught by an approaching storm while in a hotel or motel, get to the lowest-level interior hallway and lie down. Get under a bed or pull a mattress on top of you as a last resort.
Do not get in any vehicle to find shelter. Vehicles are generally tossed into the air and then reduced to a pile of battered junk.
Do not get in any vehicle to find shelter. Vehicles are generally tossed into the air and then reduced to a pile of battered junk.
In the April 1979 tornado which passed across Texas, about half of the 46 fatalities were people trying to escape in their vehicles.
If you do have sufficient warning of an impending storm, drive away at a right angle to the storm's movement. Never drive directly away from the storm; it can catch up to you.
DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN YOUR VEHICLE. If the storm overtakes you, abandon your vehicle and lie in a ditch or culvert or under a low bridge. Choose a location where your vehicle won't be rolled over on top of you by the storm.
To protect yourself and your family from possibility of a tornado appearing near you, pay attention to any changing weather conditions in your community. If you know thunderstorms are expected, stay tuned to local radio and TV stations or a NOAA weather radio for further weather information.
Some tornadoes can form rapidly, without much time for a tornado warning to be given.
Be aware of weather signs that may indicate that a tornado is approaching. If you notice a dark or greenish-colored sky with low-lying dark clouds, if there is large hail falling or you hear a loud roaring sound, seek shelter immediately. Stay sheltered until the storm passes.
Prepare yourself and your family for a tornado just like you would for any other emergency situation. Gather emergency supplies now, including some non-perishable food, drinking water, first aid supplies, flashlights and a portable radio that can receive weather information. Keep this emergency kit handy, ready to take with you if you must evacuate your home or shelter in place.
Remember the two keywords - Underground and under a table. People who get low and under something usually survive their encounter with a tornado.
Allan Wright is a qualified writer with a keen interest in Family Health and Safety. Presently as the Project Manager for First Aid Kit Products, his articles reflect many of his thoughts and views concerning all avenues of Family Safety and Disaster Preparedness.
Take the first step and order your Family Preparedness Supplies now.
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