Tornado Safety

If a Tornado is Threatening

• The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
• If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
  * Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds.
  * Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home.
  * If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home immediately.
  * Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately, using your seat belt if driving.
  * Do not wait until you see the tornado.
• If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter:
  * Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
  * If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort:
  -- Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
  -- If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
  * Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances.