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Look & Listen for...

...large hail, heavy rain, strong winds, frequent intense lightning ...bulge with a rotary motion at the base of the thunderstorm cloud ...loud roar like the sound of a jet or train.

Seek Safe Shelter

A basement is best. Otherwise choose ground-floor center rooms surrounded by other rooms. Never choose upstairs locations because tornadic wind speeds increase with height above the ground.

Choose rooms on the north and east sides of your shelter if no interior rooms are available. Stay near the innermost walls. Avoid rooms on the south and west, because tornados usually travel from southwest to northeast.

Choose a small closet or bathroom, because small rooms are less susceptible to collapse. Take shelter within the bathtub if there are no glass tub enclosures or large mirrors nearby.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Stay calm.

Seek shelter IMMEDIATELY!

Keep a portable TV/radio and flashlight in your shelter.

Wear shoes to protect your feet from broken glass and other debris left by the storm.

Protect head and chest- crouch, face to floor, hands behind head.

Cover yourself with blankets, pillows or coats.

Hide under sturdy furniture.

Avoid candles, gas lanterns and oil lamps.

In schools and offices: seek designated shelter in interior rooms or hallway's on ground floor, or lowest floor possible.

Avoid auditoriums and gymnasiums.

In shopping malls, seek the smaller interior shops on the ground floor.

In shopping centers, avoid large open rooms as well as the south and west walls.

Evacuate mobile homes and vehicles! Seek shelter in substantial structure, ditch or culvert.


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