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Tornado Safety

Tornado

MORE TORNADOES STRIKE TEXAS THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

They can occur at any time of year, including winter, but are most frequent from mid-March through May. They are also common during hurricanes. To prepare for these violent storms, there are several precautions you can take:

  • Seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of your home, such as a bathroom, closet or room without windows. Cover yourself with a mattress or cushions.
  • In an office building, go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor.
  • If you are in a mobile home, get out and take shelter in a nearby building. If there are none, lie flat in a ditch or ravine.
  • Never stay inside a car. Get out and lie flat in a ditch or a ravine. If a building is nearby, take shelter inside. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car.
  • At school, follow plans and go to a designated shelter area, usually interior hallways on the lowest floor. Avoid auditoriums, gyms, and areas with wide, free-span roofs.
  • In a shopping center, move towards the interior away from exterior glass walls.
  • If you are in open country, take cover in a low spot away from trees.
  • Learn the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning. A Tornado Watch means to watch the sky. A Tornado Warning means a tornado is on the ground and you must seek shelter immediately