Tornado Safety

In Homes:

  • Go to the basement or a small interior room or hallway on the lowest level.  Closets and bathrooms would be examples of small interior rooms.
  • In a small room or basement, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or the staircase.  AVOID the corners!
  • STAY AWAY from the windows!  DO NOT open windows, as the strong winds in advance of the tornado can shatter the glass and severely injure you or others.

In Mobile Homes:

  • Leave the mobile home immediately and go to a substantial structure.  If there isn't a shelter available, lie flat in a ditch, ravine, or culvert and cover your head with your hands.

In Schools, Health Care Facilities, and
Shopping Centers:

  • Go to the pre-designated shelter.  Interior hallways on the lowest floor are usually best.
  • Stay away from large windows and glassed areas.
  • Stay away from large rooms, such as dining halls and gymnasiums.

In High Rise Buildings:

  • Go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.  DO NOT go in an elevator!

In Vehicles:

  • Abandon the vehicle immediately!  Lie flat in a ditch, culvert, or some other type of depression and remember to cover your head with your hands.
  • Highway overpasses are NOT acceptable storm shelter areas, for a variety of reasons.  View a presentation from the NWS Office in Norman, OK.
  • NEVER try to outrun a tornado!  Tornadoes have been known to travel as fast as 60 to 70 MPH.

Who's Most at Risk?

  • People in automobiles
  • People in mobile homes
  • The elderly, very young, and the physically or mentally impaired

  • Also view: A Preparedness Guide from the National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Red Cross

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