The National Weather Service warns of a high risk of tornadoes and severe weather Monday evening in the central United States and urges the more than 45 million people at risk of severe weather to take steps to protect themselves .
With a greater than 95% chance of at least two tornadoes occurring tonight in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, it’s important to know what you can do to protect your life.
Safety isn’t guaranteed, but the weather service says there are things you can do to increase your chances of surviving a deadly tornado.
How to be safe during a tornado warning
- Protect yourself from flying or falling debris, the greatest danger to life.
- Seek shelter in the nearest and safest indoor or underground room.
- Always avoid windows.
- Do not go to windows or doors to look out.
- Cover yourself with thick protective coverings, such as a mattress, sleeping bags, thick blankets or other protective coverings.
- Wear a helmet if you have one to protect your head from debris.
What to do if you are in a building far from home
- Know where bathrooms, storage rooms and other interior spaces without windows are located.
- Go to the lowest floor and into a small central room, such as a bathroom or closet, or a windowless interior hallway. Interior stairwells can be good places to take shelter.
- Cover yourself with thick padding, mattresses and blankets.
- Crouch as low to the ground as possible, face down.
- Cover your head with your hands.
- Wear a helmet if you have one.
What if you live in a mobile or manufactured home?
Leave, advises the weather service. Go stay with friends, family or a public shelter in a permanent, sturdy building. Even with tie-downs, a mobile home is not safe.
What happens if you are caught in a car or truck during a tornado?
There are “no safe options” when stuck in a vehicle, only options that are less dangerous than others. If you see a tornado in the distance, you may be able to escape by moving away perpendicular to the storm.
- Seek shelter in a building or underground.
- If you are caught in high winds and debris, quickly pull over to a space off the traffic lane.
- Keep your seat belt on, lower your head and cover yourself with a blanket, coat or cushion.
- If you can get below road level, you can leave your car and lie face down in this area, covering your head with your hands.
- Avoid bridges and trees.
Tornadoes in the United States since 1950
If you have a basement
- Position yourself under sturdy protection such as a heavy table or workbench
- Again, cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping protection
- Wear helmets to protect your head from flying debris, or use your arms and hands to protect your head.
- Think about where the heaviest items are on the floors above you and don’t go below them.
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
A watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. Consider it time to review your emergency plan and make sure your safe room has enough space to accommodate everyone in the house and blankets, mattresses or pillows to protect you.
A warning means that a tornado has been sighted or weather radar indicates a rotation and possible tornado. It poses imminent danger to life and property and calls for immediate action to get to a safe space.
How many tornado deaths are there each year in the United States?
The weather service reported 83 tornado-related deaths last year. The most recent 10-year average is 47.
The deadliest year for tornadoes since 1950 was 2011, when 553 people died.
