Tornado Safety Question

[becka]

We have some tornadic thunderstorms headed our way so I am getting out flashlights, etc.. in case one was to hit here. Anyway, I know they say to go to the lowest level of your house or basement if you have one and to stay away from windows in an interior room of your house. They often say that being in a bathroom is one of the safest places to be.

Well our house does not have a basement. The only rooms without windows are the two bathrooms, the master bedroom closet and our hallway. The center of the house would be the living room which has lots of windows so that does not work. The bathrooms and the MB closet are both exterior rooms.

Does anyone know if it would be safer to be in the hallway (no windows but not really the middle of the house) or one of the bathrooms which have exterior walls but have the extra bracing of the plumbing?

 

[KimandBrian]

I'm a Missouri native and I think I'd choose the bathroom with the plumbing reinforcement. Good luck with the nasty weather.

 

[jellymanoffspring]

Hi Becka, I do not live in an area with tornados..but what I have heard is Barthroom because of the plumbing and if you know it will hit ...in the tub with a mattress over you...

I have also heard that your house windows should be open so the inside pressure can equalize with the outside pressure...

Hope the storm passes without incident!!

 

[chadfromdallas]

I'm a Missouri native and I think I'd choose the bathroom with the plumbing reinforcement. Good luck with the nasty weather.

Yup...

or do like we do here in Texas...

Get the video camera out and sit on the porch..

I wish I had a nickel for everytime they put us under a tornado watch/warning

 

[ZachnElli]

In the tub with a mattress over you, best place to be!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

I live in the deep south so tornados frequent here often. I would say get in a bath tub and cover yourself with blankets/ and or a matress. We go to our bathroom since its a interior room. Really the most important thing is to cover you head, keep away from all windows and be in the smallest room possible. Luckily our new house has a tornado room so that will be nice. Stay Safe! We get all the storms here too tomorrow.

Matt

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would think the bathroom, Becka. And if it gets really snarky, in the tub, under heavy blankets.

Hope it is a quiet evening, it that time of the year again.

Also, some good thoughts here..............

http://www.tornadoproject.com/myths/myths.htm

 

[becka]

Well the tub is right up against an outside wall. They always make such a big deal about staying away from the outside walls but then tell you to get in a bathroom. This house was not designed with tornados in mind! LOL!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Yup...

or do like we do here in Texas...

Get the video camera out and sit on the porch..

I wish I had a nickel for everytime they put us under a tornado watch/warning

lol. I guess mississippi is the same. When the tornado warning is issued here, I run outside with the camera. I will be out there filming as its hailing and the tornado sirens are going off.Dont go into shelter until my parents make me, lol

Matt

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

It is very important to be in a interior room. But unforturnately you dont want windows either. Seems like your in a tough situation. Whatever you do dont go in a big living room or big open room.

 

[jellymanoffspring]

I Know that is a hard decision to make and all tubs are not made of cast iron anymore so that may figure in your decision....
maybe next to the tub rather than in it ....so there is more between you and the outside wall..

I have to say , If i lived in an area that got frequent tornado activity..I would build a tornado closet/room/space

Good wishes being sent your way....

 

[DVC Jen]

The most interior room of your house and as far away from windows as possible.

Both of our bathrooms are also on outside walls. No way would I be in one of them. We either take cover in my DDs closet or in the hallway. They are really the only interior places in our house that is large enough for all of us.

Tornados are most likely to leave the interior of your house intact if it leaves anything intact.

Good luck. We were just issued a severe thunderstorm watch. It has been looking kinda yucky out all day. So far though we have been lucky and haven't had really much of any severe weather this season (knock on wood).

 

[Toby'sFriend]

when we lived in Texas we were in a slab house with no basement.

We had a good sized hallway closet that we could all fit into. During Tornado season, I kept an old twin mattress in there for the kids to crawl under. I've always heard the best advice is first a windowless room and 2nd as many walls between you and the outside of the house as possible.

 

[Feralpeg]

I would go to a closet if it is the most interior room without windows. Also, I've heard that they no longer tell you to open the windows. If a tornado hits your house, open windows will not make a difference.

I hope it passes you by without issue. As a former Missourian, I spent many a time under the stairwell during tornado warnings. Not fun.

 

[momof2inPA]

When I was young, I remember riding through a neighborhood after a tornado had hit. Even where there were entire houses missing, the toilets and bathtubs remained. I would go into the bathroom.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Pull out your winter coats, too. They tell us every spring that coats offer a little extra protection from debris. Of course we all know that debris can go through a coat, but if it's a little extra protection it's worth it to me.

 

[chadfromdallas]

We outran one in a blue chevy van one time. Hop in the car and go for a drive lol

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Maybe go in the hallway and shut all the doors leading to the other parts of the house.

That's what I would do if I lived in a house like yours and a tornado was coming my way.

Good luck,Becka!

TOV