Tornado Shelters: When A Tornado Strikes Where Should You Hide?
Some people have a tornado shelter in their backyard, while others have an interior room that can withstand the damaging winds and flying debris of a tornado. For safety in a tornado, those who live in higher-level apartments or trailer homes must drive to a shelter. Let’s take a look at the different shelter situations and when it’s best to stay put.
Tornado Shelter Options
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that you create a tornado shelter if you live in an area susceptible to tornadoes, especially Tornado Valley in Midwest. There are many options.
Underground Shelter
This option provides the most protection against extreme winds and debris. Underground shelters can be pre-built with walls and a concrete or reinforced steel ceiling. These shelters can be installed in your garage or yard. You can also stock them with a tornado shelter supply set that includes everything you need to weather the storm.
Fortified Interior Room
Underground shelters are not possible in certain areas due to the high water tables or rocky soil. Ground-floor fortified rooms are the best option when this happens. The structure, which can be made from wood and steel, or reinforced concrete, can be built while a home is being constructed. To protect against wind-driven overturning, it is self-contained and attached to the foundation of the house. The room can be used as a storage area during storms.
Prebuilt Shelter
Pre-built shelters are a great option if your home doesn’t have a place for you to hide during storms than an indoor bathroom or closet. These rooms measure 8 feet by 8 feet and can be constructed of welded steel, steel panels that are set on top of a steel framework, or a prefabricated unit assembled on-site. This fortified structure, like built-in shelters should be attached to the foundation of your home and can double as storage space when it is not in use.
How do I find a community tornado shelter
You always have the option of evacuating to a tornado shelter if you live in an apartment or trailer home. Even if you are certain where the closest shelter is located, don’t assume that it’s available, even if there’s a tornado warning.
Sheltering in Severe Weather
You will receive an alert on your phone, or on the radio, that a tornado watch has been declared, which means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. You must act now.
Tornado Watch Issued
• Review your emergency preparedness plan, and make sure you have a disaster kit ready for when you need it.
• You should always be ready to go if you need it.
• If you are unable to find the shelter entrance from outside, bring a NOAA radio battery-powered with you. Once it is safe, crawl down and wait for safety.
• You don’t have to drive to the nearest shelter. Visit the Red Cross website and find one near you.