When living in the Midwest, one can expect and should be prepared for serve weather.
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Weather experts say you should have a plan for if a tornado should occur.
Here's how you can protect yourself.
INSIDE
- Avoid windows
- Go in a basement. If you do not have a basement, go into the lowest level of your home in an inside room with no windows.
- Cover your body with mattress, blanket or sleeping bag and protect your head.
- Try not to take shelter where heavy objects are present like pianos or refrigerators that can fall on top of you.
- If you live in a mobile home, do not stay there. Go to a shelter. If not available, lie flat in the nearest ditch and ravine and shield your head.
OUTSIDE
- Protect your head with objects or your arms.
- Avoid areas with a lot of trees.
ON THE ROAD
- Vehicles can be easily tossed by tornadoes. The safest thing to do if you are in that situation is to abandon your vehicle and seek shelter.
- Do not try to out run tornado.
There are many myths when it comes to tornadoes and tornado safety. Here are a few:
- True or false: Tornadoes do not hit big cities.
False: Tornadoes can hit anywhere, even in big cities. Dallas, Oklahoma City, Wichita Falls, St. Louis, Miami, and Salt Lake City have had tornadoes. Tornadoes in cities can be very dangerous because debris.
- True or false: Taking shelter under an overpass will keep me safe.
False: It may offer protection against flying debris but may collect debris. Tornado winds get stronger with height and climbing up an overpass can increase your chances of harm.
- True or false: People, animals and objects have been picked up by tornadoes and set down without injury of damage.
True: Abnormal things can happen during tornadoes. Animals and people have been transported up to a quarter mile or more without harm. Fragile items have been recovered miles away from their original location without damage. This is can happen, but it is very rare and people should take their usual tornado safety precautions.
For more information on tornado safety, check out these pages.
Red Cross: Tornado Safety Tips
NOAA Tornado Myths, Facts and Safety
