During the spring and fall in the United States as the seasons change, large masses of cold air come out of the arctic through Canada and converge with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico in an area called Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley stretches across the middle of the country from Texas to North Dakota and is an area where tornadoes frequently form. Each year, these powerful storms kill dozens of people and injure hundreds as they rip through communities. Although some of these deaths and injuries are unpreventable, the death toll can be reduced if you know where to go and where to seek shelter during a tornado.
Tornadoes create a massive cloud of quickly rotating debris as they go through heavily populated areas. The speed of objects in the debris cloud can reach hundreds of miles per hour, turning even the smallest object into a deadly bullet. In fact there have been incidences where blades of grass have become embedded into the trunks of large trees. This cloud of debris is the number one killer in the tornado’s arsenal. In order to protect yourself from these deadly missiles, you need to know where to look for shelter should you ever be caught in one of these storms.
The primary goal when looking for shelter is to put as much space and as much protection between you and the debris cloud. When at home, there are three options that can protect you from a tornado’s fury. The first option is to seek shelter in a basement. Because all of the walls of the basement are underground and surrounded by dirt, your chances of getting hit by flying debris is reduced. You may still find yourself being hit by falling debris from the structure above you, which is why you should seek refuge under a mattress or a heavy piece of furniture, being sure to protect your head in the process. The next place that you can hide in your home during a tornado is in an interior room that has no windows like a closet under a staircase or a bathroom. If you need to hide in the bathroom during a tornado, take refuge in a bathtub and cover yourself up with pillows and blankets to protect yourself from debris. A third option that you may have at your disposal is the use of a storm shelter safe room. More and more people are installing these rooms into their homes as they become more affordable. Constructed out of heavy steel and concrete, these small rooms can be added to any area of the house and are built to withstand the powerful winds of a tornado and its deadly debris field. Not only this, but storm shelter safe rooms can also maintain their integrity should a house collapse upon it, keeping the people inside of the shelter out of harm’s way.
If you are not at home when a tornado strikes, you need to seek shelter in other places. If you are at work, look for shelter in a stairwell or interior hallway on the lowest floor that does not have windows. Being in a mall or a large store with a wide spanning roof is particularly dangerous because these roofs are only supported by the exterior walls of the building and can be easily blown away by high winds. In these situations, go to the nearest bathroom and protect your head from flying debris.
You may also find yourself driving when a tornado hits unexpectedly. In most cases, you will be able to evade the tornado by driving at right angles to the path of the storm. However, if you are in a situation where you cannot avoid the path of the tornado, you need to exit your car immediately. Do not hesitate because seconds can mean the difference between life and death. A car is a dangerous place to be during a tornado because it can be easily lifted off the ground and thrown by the fierce winds. After exiting your car, lie down flat in a low lying area or ditch and protect your head from debris with your hands and arms. Never hide under a highway overpass because these structures provide little protection and may actually amplify the speed of the winds as the tornado passes through.
By knowing where to go and how to protect yourself during a tornado, you have armed yourself with invaluable knowledge that may one day save your life.