4 Quick tips for Surviving a Tornado

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tornado tips, tips on surviving a tornado

Living Through a Tornado

I’ve lived through a few hurricanes and have lived in tornado alley, but have yet to suffer through an actual twister.  So many people have lived through these boomers and we are happy for them.  It is time now, for all of the rest of us, to learn what precautions to take in the event of a tornado threat.

Here are some tornado tips:

The tornadoes that have rampaged through the South and Midwest this year didn’t need to be as devastating as they were: NPR talks to experts and finds that an ounce of prevention can make the difference between life and death, even when 200mph-winds are involved. Some things you can do:

  • Have a plan: The truly prepared in tornado-prone areas have steel- or concrete-walled tornado shelters to protect from things like two-by-fours that become missiles as a tornado shreds a house. Even if you’re not going to install a shelter, at least plan your course of action before the winds start howling.
  • No shelter? Put as many walls between you and the wind as you can—and cover up. “Once you get in there, something like a bicycle helmet or a football helmet can dramatically improve your chances of surviving without significant injury,” says an expert.
  • Don’t open the windows: Contrary to common advice, “once the wind gets inside your house, it essentially can start to lift the roof up off the house,” says the expert.
  • For drivers: If you’re caught in a car, don’t seek shelter under an overpass—it can turn into a wind tunnel. If you can, flee on a 90-degree angle from the storm path. If you can’t, abandon the car and get in a ditch and cover up. If possible find shelter, say in a fast-food restaurant with a walk-in cooler.
    If you have experienced a

tornado

    , please let us know about it in the comments section.

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About Post Author

Carol Bell

Carol is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Her passion is journalism and it shows. Carol is our unpaid, but very efficient, administrative secretary.
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lazersedge
12 years ago

I lived in the southern track of the Tornado belt and the suggestions above are good ones if you actually have time. A lot of these these, at least here in the south hit after dark or right after dark so you often have to depend on weathermen for information. Our last one here in Tuscaloosa you had to be lucky or be underground if you were in its path. I have actually been at ground zero, so to speak, for two of these things though they were of the weaker versions. They are no joke. They are on you before you know it, and it is too late to do anything but some type of quick response.
*Find a center room away from windows. A closet or bathroom are great. If you have time pull a mattress over you and get into a bath tub.
*If you are in a mobile home, leave it for better shelter. Even a ditch is better than a mobile home.
** If you live in these areas and you are looking for a home or a building site try to find one with a hill immediately southwest of the home. Tornadoes on the ground tend tend to skip a short distance after going over a hill.
*** Most of all – don’t presume you can outrun one. They move faster than they seem to move.

Barton
12 years ago

I’ve lived through hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes, and I think the big T. is the worst. Almost no warning. These are good tips MM. I thank you too.

12 years ago

Thanks for this. Every time I hear one of those sirens go off my heart comes out of my mouth. Luckily I’ve only seen a few from a distance.

Reply to  Leslie Parsley
12 years ago

I understand that Leslie……Be safe.

RonR
12 years ago

One of the best things about this place: you can learn how to take care of your dog, your cat, and yourself. I love this blog.

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