What to do During Severe Weather or a Tornado

If at Home

• Go at once to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.
• If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
• Get away from windows
• Go to the center of the room. Stay away from the corners, as they tend to attract debris.
• Get under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If You are in a Mobile Home

• Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to strong winds in tornadoes or severe weather.
• A mobile home can overturn easily, even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit.
• When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in a building with a strong foundation. Or, if one is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the mobile home. (Tornadoes cannot change elevation quickly enough to pick someone up out of a ditch, especially a deep ditch or culvert.)

If You are at Work or School

• Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
• Again use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If Outdoors

• If possible get inside a sturdy building with a concrete foundation.
• If shelter is not available, or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.
• Be aware of the potential for flooding.

If You are in a Car

NEVER TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR OR TRUCK!

• Tornadoes can change direction very quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it in the air.
• Get out of the car and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.
• Again, be aware of the potential for flooding.