Where Should You Escape in a Tornado Strike?
Some people have a tornado shelter hidden in their yard; others have a reinforced interior room built to withstand destructive winds and flying debris in a tornado. Many who live in upper-level apartments or mobile homes need to drive to a shelter for protection during a tornado. Here’s a look at various shelter situations and how to know when it’s time to hunker down.
Tornado Shelter Options
If you live in a tornado-prone area the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends you create a tornado shelter you can evacuate to for protection. You have many choices.
Underground Shelter
This is the safest way to enjoy thorough safety from strong winds and debris. Underground shelters are prebuilt buildings with walls and a roof made of reinforced steel or concrete. These are constructed under a garage or a yard and you can keep these stocked ahead of time.
Fortified Interior Space
Rocky soil conditions render constructing underground shelters impractical in some areas. Here a ground-floor reinforced space is the next best thing. It is self-contained and anchored to the home’s base to protect against overturning in high wind. The room can be used as a storage closet in between storms.
Readymade Shelter
Consider building a prebuilt shelter if your current home has no safer place to hide during a storm than an interior bathroom or closet. These 8-foot-by-8-foot rooms may be made of welded steel, steel panels over a steel frame, or a prefabricated unit that is bolted together on site. This reinforced building, like built-in shelters, should be anchored to the home's base and can be used as a storage closet while not in use.
How to Find a Tornado Shelter in Your Neighborhood
You can still evacuate to a tornado shelter in your area if you live in an apartment building or mobile home, or if you can't build your own on-site shelter for another cause. Even if a tornado warning has been given and you know where the closest shelter is, don't assume it's available.
When Do You Take Cover During Severe Weather?
If you get a tornado warning on your phone or hear about it on the television, radio, or NOAA weather radio, it means the conditions are right for a tornado to develop. It is now or never to take action.
When a Tornado Warning Has Been Issued...
Start updating your emergency preparedness plan and double-checking that your disaster kit is in working order.
If you have a shelter inside your building, be ready to use it at any time.
If the shelter entrance is outside, bring a battery-powered NOAA radio and hunker down until it's safe to leave.
If you need to travel to a community shelter, go to the Red Cross website to find the nearest one that is available and get out as soon as possible.
Do not wait until a tornado warning has been issued before taking action.
Waiting until you hear a tornado warning, which indicates that a tornado has struck, could be a fatal mistake, especially if you need to travel to a storm shelter. Even if the danger subsides and no tornado warning is given, it is preferable to predict the arrival of a tornado and act during a tornado watch. Your life and that of your family will be in jeopardy if you do not act quickly. Make sure to prepare a tornado shelter for your family. Call us at EF5 Tornado Shelters for your requirement.