Tornados are deadly and unpredictable.
Surviving a tornado requires more than finding a good hiding spot.
You also have to prepare.
Below are the best place to go during a tornado, and what to do when one is approaching.
Where are the safest places to be during a tornado?
A tornado shelter: Some communities in tornado-prone areas have municipal shelters in place, orFEMA saferooms.
Research if your community is one of these, and know how to get there.
If theres time, this is your best bet.
If your home has a dedicated tornado shelter, this is what its there for.
Flying glass and other debris are likely to be the most deadly aspect of a tornado.
Cover yourself with a blanket or mattress and protect your head.
As always, protect your head.
Do not crawl under your car.
If possible, go to the basement or lowest level.
Stay away from windows.
Where are the worst places to be in a tornado?
Near windows: The glass will blow out and become deadly.
But tornadoes actually move in any direction.
An underpass: If youre trapped outside or in your car, an underpass isnt good shelter.
So if you cant get to a nearby building in time, take your chances outside.
Dont rely on one source of informationdouble (or triple) up.
Have a drill:Once you know where to go, practice getting there quickly and safely.
Dont forget your pet!
Check out thisshopping list,straight from the federal government, for a more detailed list of suggested supplies.
What do the National Weather Services tornado terms mean?
Tornado watch:This means weather conditions for tornadoes are favorable during the next few hours.
It usually covers a large area of several cities, counties, or even states.
Monitor your information sources closely if you hear this.
Tornado warning:This meansa tornado has been sighted or has shown up on weather radar.
If you hear one of these, its time to take actiondanger to life and property is imminent.
It means significant, widespread damage is expected with a high likelihood of numerous fatalities.
Avoid downed power lines and other dangerous debris:A good rule anytime.
