What to do during a tornado warning: How to stay safe at home, outside, in a car
The National Weather Service is warning of a risk of tornadoes and severe weather in the Central U.S. and urging the millions at risk to take measures to protect themselves.
When there's a tornado watch, It’s important to know what you can do to safeguard your life.
There’s no such thing as guaranteed safety, but the weather service says there are things you can do to increase your chances of surviving a deadly tornado.
How to be safe during a tornado warning
Protect yourself from flying or falling debris, the single biggest life-threatening hazard.
Seek shelter in the closest, safest interior or underground room.
Always avoid windows.
Don’t go to the windows or doors to look outside.
Cover yourself with thick protective coverings, such as a mattress, sleeping bags, thick blankets or other protective coverings.
Wear a helmet if you have one to protect your head from debris.
What to do if you’re in a building away from home
Know where the bathrooms, storage rooms and other interior spaces without windows are.
Go to the lowest floor and into a small center room, such as a bathroom or closet, or an interior hallway with no windows. Interior stairwells can be good places to take shelter.
Cover yourself with thick padding, mattresses and blankets.
Crouch as low as possible to the floor, face down.
Cover your head with your hands.
Wear a helmet if you have one.
What if you're in a mobile or manufactured home?
Leave, the weather service advises. Go stay with friends or family or in a public shelter in a permanent, sturdy building. Even with tie downs, a mobile home isn’t safe.
What if you're caught in a car or truck during a tornado?
There’s “no safe option” when caught in a vehicle, only options that are less dangerous than others. If you see a tornado far away, you may be able to escape by driving away at right angles to the storm.
Seek shelter in a building or underground.
If caught in high winds and debris, park quickly in a space outside traffic lanes.
Keep your seatbelt on and put your head down and cover yourself with a blanket, coat or cushion.
If you can get lower than the road level, you can leave your car and lie in that area, face down and covering your head with your hands.
Avoid bridges and trees.
What to do if you're caught outdoors when a tornado arrives
The weather service advices limiting your outside activities once a tornado watch is issued.
If you are caught outside:
Seek shelter if there's a sturdy building at hand.
If no shelter is available, lie flat, face down on the lowest spot of ground you can get to.
Protect the back of your head by covering it with your arms.
Get as far away from trees and cars as possible, or anything else that could be blown into you.
If you have a basement
Get under sturdy protection such as a heavy table or workbench
Again, cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping protection
Wear helmets to protect your head from flying debris are also a good idea, or use your arms and hands to protect your head
Think about where the heaviest objects are on the floors above you and do not go under them.
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
A watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. Consider it time to review your emergency plan and make sure your safe room is clear enough to hold everyone in the house and any blankets, mattresses or pillows for protection.
A warning means a tornado has been sighted or weather radar indicates rotation and a possible tornado. It represents imminent danger to life and property and urges immediate action to get to a safe space.
How many tornado deaths are there in the U.S. each year?
The weather service reported 83 tornado-related deaths last year. The most recent 10 year average is 47.
The deadliest year for tornadoes since 1950 was 2011, when 553 people died.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to survive a tornado: Increase your odds with these safety tips
