With several counties issuing tornado warnings, here are some tips to stay safe in bad weather.
If you are in a house , get to the basement and avoid windows. Try to get under something sturdy with protection like a heavy table or work bench, or cover yourself with a mattress or a sleeping bag. Try to think of what is on the floor above you. Do not hide where a heavy object like a refrigerator is on the floor above.
Avoid windows if you are in a house with no basement. Get to the lowest floor in a small center room, under a stairwell, in a bathtub, or a hallway with no windows. Get as close to the floor as possible and cover your head with your hands. Cover yourself with something like a mattress or blankets to guard against debris.
People in buildings like a hospital, nursing home, or office building should go to an enclosed area in the center of the building with no windows. Interior stairwells are a good place to hide. Crouch close to the ground and cover your head. You should stay off of elevators in case the power goes out.
If you are in a mobile home, you should get out. Even it your home is tied down, you are safer outside. Most tornadoes can destroy any mobile home. Seek shelter out in the open. Get to your community's tornado shelter if it has one. If not, get to a close by, sturdy, permanent building. If you cannot get to a building, lie flat on low ground away from your mobile home, protecting your head. Try to stay away from trees and cars that can be blown onto you.
Teachers and kids at school should follow the drills you practice. Go to an interior hallway or a room as planned. Get low to the ground and cover your head. Stay out of large rooms like gymnasiums or auditoriums.
Being in a vehicle during a tornado is very dangerous. If you can see the tornado far away, you may be able to drive out of the path of the tornado by driving in right angles to it. If not, park the car and get out as quick as possible. Seek shelter in a sturdy building. If you are in an open area, run low to the ground away from cars. Lay down close to the ground and protect your head with your arms. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges. It can create a traffic hazard and the bridge offers little protection against debris.
If you are in a mall or a store, move to an interior bathroom, storage area, or small enclosed area. Stay away from any windows.
Do not panic if you are in a church or theater. Like in a mall, move to interior bathrooms or hallways. Stay away from windows. If you cannot get to the bathrooms or hallways, get under the seats or pews and protect your head with your arms.
Check out all of the safety tips with photo demonstrations on
NOAA.org
