Buzz
We often treat safety advice like the pre-flight instructions on a plane: something we hear repeatedly but don’t give much thought to. We’re taught about tornado safety from a young age, but do you really know what to do when one threatens your area? Here are some important tips to help you stay safe during severe weather.
1. STAY CALM ...
Staying calm is much easier said than done—if a bee flies too close to me, I’m ready to panic, so I get it. But when you’re under a tornado warning, it’s essential to stay composed. Keeping your cool helps you make clear decisions, which is critical when seconds matter. Tornadoes can strike within minutes of a warning, sometimes even sooner.
2. ...BUT DON’T IGNORE THE WARNING EITHER.
More people tend to downplay tornado warnings than overreact to them. The “it won’t happen to me” mindset has led to countless tragedies during natural disasters. It may seem unlikely, but it *could* happen to you, and you won’t know for sure until the storm has passed.
3. GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME.
A tornado watch means conditions are ripe for a tornado, while a tornado warning signals that one is already on its way or has formed. It’s essential to know as soon as either of these are issued so that you have time to take action.
These days, most people get tornado warnings through the Wireless Emergency Alert on their smartphones, but it's important to have backup systems in place. In case your battery dies or you lose signal, consider getting a weather radio, a device that’ll alert you when there’s a tornado watch or warning for your area. Stay updated through local TV or radio broadcasts as well.
Don’t depend solely on tornado sirens for warnings during a storm. These alerts are often unreliable, and their primary purpose is to warn people outside—they aren’t designed to be audible indoors.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR SAFE ZONE.
Choose a safe spot where you spend most of your time, whether it's at home, work, or school. The safest option is to be underground—a tornado shelter is the best, but a basement is also a good choice. If you have a basement, consider what heavy furniture might be above you in case the floor collapses.
If you can’t get to an underground shelter, head to the lowest level of the building and position yourself near the center. The goal is to maximize the number of walls between you and the flying debris. An interior closet is a solid option, but an interior bathroom is preferable because the pipes and bathtub might shield you from debris.
5. NEVER, EVER SEEK SHELTER UNDER A BRIDGE.
Seriously, don’t even think about it. A bridge offers no protection from a tornado. Remember that viral video of people hiding under a bridge in Kansas during a tornado? They survived only because the tornado passed them by. If it had hit, the winds would have intensified as they went under the bridge, likely sucking them out into the open.
If you find yourself on the road when a tornado strikes, seek shelter in the nearest solid building.
6. GET YOURSELF A HELMET.
It’s not the wind that kills; it’s the debris. Flying objects like two-by-fours from your neighbor’s house can be fatal. Tornado-related injuries and deaths are often gruesome, with serious head injuries, impalements, and even amputations. This is why the “duck and cover” technique is a key part of tornado safety education.
Buying helmets for yourself and everyone in your household is a smart way to add an extra layer of protection during a tornado. If you can avoid a serious head injury, your chances of survival improve, even if only slightly.
7. DRESS SMARTLY (ESPECIALLY YOUR FEET).
If a tornado leaves destruction in its wake, you may have to navigate through hazardous debris. Walking over shattered wood and sharp glass in shorts and flip-flops is a recipe for disaster. If severe weather is expected, wear long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes to protect yourself.
8. DISREGARD THE TORNADO MYTHS.
No place is off-limits to a tornado. They have struck in all 50 states, hit cities, crossed lakes and mountains, and moved in any direction. Cracking open windows won’t save your house; it only invites destruction. And no, the sky doesn’t always turn green before a tornado.
Knowing the truth about tornadoes and having a solid emergency plan can make all the difference. It’s unlikely you’ll ever face one—but if you do, you’ll be ready.
