Tornadoes are destructive and deadly! I have purposely put myself in the path of these types of severe weather events for many years now. I chase tornadoes, study them for the sake of science and spot them to report them to the public in an attempt to help save lives. I have seen the terror they can bring and witnessed firsthand accounts of how furious and dangerous they really are. A lot of people don't understand how deadly a tornado can be until they experience them up close and personal. However, there are key survival tactics when being threatened by an approaching tornado.
Basements and Cellars
If you have a basement or storm cellar near, you need to be inside of them. A tornado will "blow" everything in its path away as it moves into an area. The tornado does not "suck" things up so you should be safe in a basement or storm cellar rather than being above ground in the damage path of a tornado. There are suggestions of what part of the basement you should be in, these suggestions are myths. Be in any part of the basement that you wish just be the in basement during the storm and you will likely be just fine.
Vehicles
If you are in a vehicle and you see a tornado getting close to you, there are several options you can do. You can attempt to drive away from it if you can tell what direction it is going and you are far enough away that you can safety get away. You can also drive your vehicle into a low lying area or ditch and get down in the floor board. The vehicle will provide more protection but there is also a chance it can get thrown around in the storm. One of the better methods is to lay down in a ditch or low lying area and cover your head with your hands.
At work or school
If you are at work or school and a tornado is coming, you should follow the advice of those in charge of your safety. If there is no advice given, then go to a hallway or restroom that has no windows and it on the interior portion of the building. You should get down to the ground and cover your head to protect it from flying glass and debris.
After the storm!
After the tornado has passed, you need to move around with caution. There is likely going to be down power lines and electrical systems that are still live and can electrocute you to death. There may be natural gas around that could explode at any moment. There may be trapped people in the debris that needs help of emergency responders. Never drive around to spot damage after a tornado because you are only getting in the way of emergency responders that are trying to get to people in need of emergency assistance. Be safe out there, folks!
Basements and Cellars
If you have a basement or storm cellar near, you need to be inside of them. A tornado will "blow" everything in its path away as it moves into an area. The tornado does not "suck" things up so you should be safe in a basement or storm cellar rather than being above ground in the damage path of a tornado. There are suggestions of what part of the basement you should be in, these suggestions are myths. Be in any part of the basement that you wish just be the in basement during the storm and you will likely be just fine.
Vehicles
If you are in a vehicle and you see a tornado getting close to you, there are several options you can do. You can attempt to drive away from it if you can tell what direction it is going and you are far enough away that you can safety get away. You can also drive your vehicle into a low lying area or ditch and get down in the floor board. The vehicle will provide more protection but there is also a chance it can get thrown around in the storm. One of the better methods is to lay down in a ditch or low lying area and cover your head with your hands.
At work or school
If you are at work or school and a tornado is coming, you should follow the advice of those in charge of your safety. If there is no advice given, then go to a hallway or restroom that has no windows and it on the interior portion of the building. You should get down to the ground and cover your head to protect it from flying glass and debris.
After the storm!
After the tornado has passed, you need to move around with caution. There is likely going to be down power lines and electrical systems that are still live and can electrocute you to death. There may be natural gas around that could explode at any moment. There may be trapped people in the debris that needs help of emergency responders. Never drive around to spot damage after a tornado because you are only getting in the way of emergency responders that are trying to get to people in need of emergency assistance. Be safe out there, folks!