- NC expands hurricane recovery jobs program to more counties
- San Antonio-based H-E-B donates $1 million, sends supplies to victims of California wildfires
- Helene estimated to be the 7th costliest hurricane on record
- Hurricane Helene officially one of the costliest hurricanes in US history
- Austin ranks 5th in major cities vulnerable to wildfires
Weather IQ: No matter where you are, what to do during a Tornado Warning
When a tornado warning sounds, you may not be in the most convenient spot, so it is good to know what to do in certain scenarios.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
What to do during a Tornado Warning:
When there is an active tornado warning you need to know where you should go. No matter where you are. May it be at home, from an apartment, in the car or out and about. Here is what to do.
At Home:
When at home, you and your family needs to go to their safe place. First go to the lowest level of your home immediately. A basement is ideal, but you do not have one, find the most interior room of your house, away from windows.
Crouch on the floor and cover your head as much as you can. Our family keeps helmets in our safe place along with other supplies for a Tornado Warning. In your safe place you should have a flashlight, some food and water and make sure to be wearing shoes. Because if there is damage, you may have to walk through nails and glass.
In an Apartment:
In an apartment building the same rules apply. You need to head to the lowest level, but use the stairs cause the elevator could lose power. A place like under the staircase, an interior hallway or room with no windows is your safe place. Crouch and cover your head.
In a Car:
But what about your car? This is risky place to be during a tornado. If the tornado is far enough away you can drive away from it in 90 degree angles until you find a safe place. If it is nearby, DO NOT out run it. Pull over. Keep your seatbelt on and duck below the windows and cover your head.
An EF1 Tornado can push a car and an EF2 can lift it from the road.
DO NOT seek shelter under a bridge or overpass. Flying debris tends to move even faster making it more dangerous.
At Work or Shopping:
Say if you are out at a store or mall? Most importantly, don’t panic. Be mindful of others and move as quickly and safely as possible to an interior bathroom or storage room. Any enclosed place away from windows is your target. Some establishments will have a marked tornado shelter.
Out in the Open:
If you are out in the open, and there is no nearby shelter, find the lowest lying area away from trees and anything that could produce debris. Lay flat on the ground and put your hands behind your head.
Theater or Church:
If a tornado warning sounds while you are in church or the theater. You want to find the lowest interior room without windows. But if there is no time. Hide under the pews or seats.
Mobile Home:
In a Mobile home, get out and run to a tornado shelter nearby. A mobile home historically is the WORST place to be in the path of a tornado. Tornado fatalities are more common for those who live in mobile homes since they do not have the foundation that a home has.
In Conclusion:
Tornadoes happen quick here in the Carolinas and we are here to keep you safe on air and online for every tornado warning