How to Stay Safe in a Tornado
Tornadoes are among the most dangerous storms that residents of North America can face. A single tornado that ripped through Joplin, Missouri, in May 2011 killed 116 people in minutes. Another swarm of storms that raged through the South in April left 292 dead. The only way to truly remain safe from a big tornado is to stay out of its way. But, failing that, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of survival.
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Instructions
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Stay aware of the weather during tornado season. If you life in the American Midwest or the South, this can be anytime from March through September. If it looks like thunderstorms could churn up, tune in to your local radio or television station to get an update on the weather. A battery powered weather radio is a good thing to have. You can get weather updates any time and if there is a storm and you lose power you will still be able to hear what is going on.
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Have an emergency kit in case you are without power. Include bottled water, snacks, flashlights, batteries, matches, etc. Tornadoes can snarl trees and power lines, cutting off transport and power to an affected area for days.
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If a tornado is approaching, take cover away from windows. A basement is the best choice, but if you don't have a basement, go to an interior room such as a bathroom or closet.
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If you are outside and see a tornado and don't have time to get inside, seek shelter in a ditch and cover your head.
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If you are in a store or some other public building, listen to the announcements made or ask an employee where the emergency shelter is. Employees in a Lowe's store in Sanford, North Carolina, saved more than 100 people when a tornado ripped through the store's retail aisles in April 2011. The employees herded their customers into the warehouse and break room areas in the back of the store, where the structure was strongest.
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References
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