According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no completely safe place during a tornado, but some spots are preferable to others. If you know from which direction the storm is coming,
the opposite corner of the basement
is the safest spot, reports The Tornado Project.
What corner of the house do you go to in a tornado?
If you are at home
Get to a windowless interior room, such as a bathroom, closet or inner hallway. Stay as far from windows as possible.
Go to the center of the room
– corners tend to attract debris. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture; heavy table or desk, and hold on to it.
Where do you go in the basement during a tornado?
In a house with a basement: Avoid windows.
Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection
(heavy table or work bench), or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) and do not go under them.
Which corner of a basement is the safest one in a tornado?
Keep your windows closed when a storm occurs. MYTH: The southwest corner of a basement is the safest area of your home. TORNADO SAFETY FACT: While it’s true that the basement is the safest place to hide from a storm,
no corner of the basement is better than the other
.
Should you go to the basement during a tornado?
If you have a basement or storm cellar, that may be the safest place to be in a tornado. Basements are underground and offer more protection than any other room in your home. Find a
sturdy object to hide underneath
, such as a workbench. … In the event of a strong storm, your house could collapse into the basement.
Can dogs sense a tornado?
Signs of a Dog Sensing a Tornado
Dogs will sense a tornado just as they would sense any other approaching storm
. … Dogs that are scared of storms are the ones who usually seek love and comfort if they sense a tornado is approaching. Dogs may also pace and move about a lot.
Is a bathtub safe during a tornado?
A bathtub can be a safe place to find shelter at home
. … So, while it’s not a foolproof plan — remember that bathtubs aren’t inherently heavy enough to stand firm no matter what — sheltering yourself in the tub is a good idea if your bathroom is windowless and located in your home’s interior.
Can you survive an f5 tornado in a basement?
Barring a storm cellar or a specially constructed, reinforced room, a basement is the place where you’re likeliest to survive a direct hit from a tornado. It’s a pretty good bet, but it’s not failsafe.
Nothing is
. Basements don’t offer written guarantees, just better odds than above ground.
Is it safe to go in crawl space during tornado?
A crawl space is
a possibly safe place
, depending on the type of construction of the house. … However, especially intense tornadoes, though they occur rarely, have the capability to totally obliterate houses constructed on crawl spaces.
Is under a staircase safe in a tornado?
Being
completely underground
is the best place to be in a tornado. If you have an underground storm cellar, use it. … Items from above could fall into the basement, so it’s a good idea to get under a stairwell or a piece of sturdy furniture. If possible, avoid seeking shelter underneath heavy objects on the floor above.
Is a basement safe during an earthquake?
While a powerful earthquake could be catastrophic, it’s important to note that it’s falling debris, and not the ground’s movement, that causes most injuries and deaths.
Basements are safe during an earthquake
, but you shouldn’t try to get there once the shaking starts.
What should you not do during a tornado?
Cover heads with blankets, mattresses or helmets
as extra protection against falling and flying debris. Don’t take the elevator during a tornado or severe weather. Always take the stairs. Power outages can stop an elevator in its tracks leaving you literally hanging during a storm.
Where should you hide in your house during a tornado?
Go
to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor
(bathroom, closet, center hallway). If possible, avoid sheltering in a room with windows. For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress.
How do you prepare for a tornado without a basement?
DURING A TORNADO
Get indoors to a pre-designated shelter area such as a basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement,
go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls
.
How do you tornado proof a basement?
Shelter Near the Center of the Basement
For one, a spot near the center of the basement and away from any windows is key. Windows are susceptible to air pressure and flying objects, so it’s best to stay away from them in a tornado. Second, consider the weight of objects on the floor above you.
What happens if a tornado picks you up?
No. 5: Tornadoes have picked people and items up,
carried them some distance and then set them down without injury or damage
. True, but rare. People and animals have been transported up to a quarter mile or more without serious injury, according to the SPC.
