Tornadoes: Survival Tips and Myths

In an average year, more than 1,000 tornadoes churn across the American landscape, hammering trailer parks and outlet malls while perversely skipping over abandoned gas stations and the proverbial house in the middle of an obliterated block. Both fascinating and feared for their destructive power, funnel clouds are the object of much information and disinformation. One thing's for certain, though: You don't want to be wondering what to do to save yourself when the radio's issuing warnings and a sound like a freight train rises in the distance. Here's a short guide to what steps to take if a tornado's heading your way – along with a quick debunking of some common tornado advice that turns out to be either dead wrong or a waste of precious time.

Steps to take

Have a storm kit. First aid items, three gallons of water per person, a radio, flashlight and spare batteries are a good start. Keep this in your house's safe area (see below).
Keep informed. Tune in local TV, radio or NOAA Weather Radio and listen for warnings. If possible, keep a TV or radio in your shelter area so you'll know what's going on outside and overhead.

Get moving. At the first warning of a tornado in your area, or if you spot circular cloud rotation or hear a sound like a freight train, snap into action. Every second counts. Consider annual tornado drills for your family.

If at home, get to a safe area. Preferably, in the basement, away from windows. Get under a sturdy table or staircase, and cover up with blankets, sleeping bags, a mattress or anything that offers protection from flying debris. If you can't get to the basement (or don't have one), go to a small room – a closet, bathroom or hallway – near the center of the lowest floor and stay there. Crouch down and cover up.

If outside, get low and stay there. If you see a sturdy building nearby, head into the basement. Barring that, find a ditch or low-lying area and lie in it, face down. If there's no low-lying area nearby, get away from trees, lie flat on the ground with your face down and protect the back of your head with your arms. Whatever you do, get away from your car, since it may become a wind-hurled projectile.

If in a public place, follow the drill. If you don't know the plan and no one's in charge, get away from windows, get low and cover up.

Myths that waste your time – or worse

Don't open all your windows. While it's widely believed that you'll keep your house from exploding due to low pressure, this has never been proven. You're more likely to be exposed to flying glass if you're still opening windows when the twister hits.

Don't automatically go to the southwest corner of the basement. Actually, most tornadoes approach from the southwest, and it's generally a better idea to be away from the approaching twister. So the numbers are actually against choosing that corner. However, it's better to stick with your plan to get low, get to a safe area and cover up.

Don't park under an overpass. They're not good shelter. In fact, experience shows they can be more dangerous than open ground, because wind speeds can be greater due to a "wind tunnel" effect, driving debris through you or sucking you into open ground. The overpass may even collapse from the force of the tornado. Better idea: Get to real shelter or crawl into a ditch.

Don't light candles. Especially after the storm has passed. Gas lines may have ruptured. Enough said. Use flashlights instead.

For more information on tornadoes and tornado safety, visit the NOAA Storm Prediction Center site. Or read the American Red Cross recommendations.