Is the safest place to go when a tornado hits?

Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway). If possible, avoid sheltering in a room with windows. For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress.

How long is the warning before a tornado?

The average warning times have increased substantially from -10 to -15 minutes in 1974 to about 15 minutes as of 2013 (in some cases, the lead time can extend to more than an hour’s warning of impending tornadoes).

Is the basement the safest place during a tornado?

Basement. If you have a basement or storm cellar, that may be the safest place to be in a tornado. Basements are underground and offer more protection than any other room in your home. During a tornado, the floors can weaken and cause these items to fall into the basement.

What to do if you live on the third floor during a tornado?

In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell , or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands.

Can you survive a tornado without basement?

In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands.

How do you make a tornado safe in a basement?

Shelter Near the Center of the Basement For one, a spot near the center of the basement and away from any windows is key. Windows are susceptible to air pressure and flying objects, so it’s best to stay away from them in a tornado. Second, consider the weight of objects on the floor above you.

Are bathrooms safe during a tornado?

Bathroom. Even if they have an exterior wall or windows, bathrooms are safe because the thick pipes inside the walls insulate you during a tornado. Climb into the bathtub if you have one and bring in your bed’s mattress to serve as a cover.

Should you go into crawl space during tornado?

A crawl space is a possibly safe place, depending on the type of construction of the house. However, especially intense tornadoes, though they occur rarely, have the capability to totally obliterate houses constructed on crawl spaces.