Where is the Best Place to Take Shelter During a Tornado?

With tornado season heating up, it's important to know where you should and shouldn't take shelter if you find yourself under a tornado warning.

The safest place to be is certainly a basement or separate storm shelter.  While tornadoes can do extreme damage at the surface, they do not have the power to harm things underground.  While some people have died while taking shelter in basements due to debris from above falling in, the survival rate in a basement or storm shelter is by far the highest of any other location.

Unfortunately, basements are rare in many portions of the country.  If you or a neighbor does not have a basement, the next best location to seek shelter is the first story of any permanent building or home.  Roofs are a weak point on buildings, so it's important to put as much distance between you and the roof during a tornado.  Head to the most interior room that doesn't have any windows.  Walk-in closets are a good option and bathrooms are probably the best.  There have been many examples of people riding out tornadoes in their bathtubs.  If you have time, placing blankets or clothes on top of you can give you added protection from flying debris.  Most importantly, protect your head.  Use your hands at least, but a bike helmet is even better.  Yes it looks ridiculous, but you won't feel dumb if it saves your life!

It's important to mention that trailers/mobile homes are NOT a safe location to take shelter during a tornado.  Even weak tornadoes can do significant damage to these structures.  If you're in a mobile home and a tornado warning is issued, get out and head to the nearest permanent building.  Vehicles are also not a safe place to take shelter and should only be used if you have to travel to a permanent building.  Just look at what a tornado did to some parked tractor trailers near Dallas!

Follow these rules and you'll be well on your way to staying safe should you find yourself in the path of a tornado.