How to Take Cover During Weather Warnings

Storm clouds on the horizon

Spring and summer storms can pop up out of a clear blue sky. You may only have seconds to react. Planning ahead for sudden storms will save time when weather warnings are issued.Tornadoes are not alone in their destruction, a thunderstorm can produce winds in excess of 80mph and hail the size of softballs. Taking cover when a weather warning is issued can save your life.

Things You'll Need

• Sturdy Shelter
• Weather Radio (battery operated)
• Blankets
• Emergency Food Supply
• Animal Crates (optional)
• Batteries

Instructions

Taking Cover Inside During Weather Alerts

1. Find the structurally safest place in the house, this would be a concrete basement or the most interior room. If a basement is available, the safest place will be under the staircase. If no basement is available, a bathroom or large closet on the main floor will do. Just being in a building won't help against tornadoes or straight line winds and down drafts.

2. Face the wall under the basement stairway. Sitting on the floor, facing the wall, bring the knees up to the chest and head down toward knees.

3. Lay completely flat in the bathtub and cover your head with your hands, if a bathroom is the safest place to take cover during weather alerts. Use the shower curtain or towels to protect your body from flying glass.

4. Lay completely flat on the floor, if a closet is the safest place to take cover during bad weather. Hug the floor and cover your head with your hands. Use any available blankets or clothing to protect yourself from flying debris.

5. Go outside and seek other shelter immediately if you are in a vehicle or mobile home during a tornado warning, or can see a tornado. It is safer outside than in a motor vehicle or mobile home during a tornado.

Taking Cover Outside During Weather Warnings

1. Lay down flat in a ditch. Find the lowest point in the ground, literally hug the ground with your body and cover your head with your hands. Put your face straight down in the ground to protect it from flying debris. Be prepared to get up and find better shelter immediately after the wind breaks as heavy rain sometimes follows.

2. Find a concrete overpass for shelter. Go to where the top of the overpass meets the down slope underneath and cover your head with your hands in a crouched position.

3. Find a small sturdy shelter with no windows. Lie flat on the floor and cover your head with your hands.

Tips & Warnings

• Develop an emergency plan for weather warnings and practice with everyone in the house.

• Put emergency supplies in or near the safe room. Pack some canned food with an opener, a weather radio and batteries, and a couple of gallons of water. If room permits, pack some blankets.

• Always protect your head and midsection from flying debris during bad weather.

• Never take shelter in a mobile home, vehicle or building with a wide ceiling span.

Resources

• Weather.com