1 Stay safe
2Stay informed
3Return home
TORNADO
237
DURING A TORNADO
1 Stay safe
• If a“ tornado watch” turns into a“ tornado warning” but you are advised not to evacuate, go to your chosen safe place in your house.
• Protect yourself and your family by crawling under a heavy piece of furniture, such as a table or desk.
• If you are unable to hide under furniture, sit down in the center of the room and protect your head with your arms.
• If you are in a car, van, or mobile home, get out at once and head for open ground. Lie down flat and cover your head. Vehicles can be picked up by a forceful tornado and then dropped again, so they are not safe places for shelter.
2Stay informed
• Listen to your radio for updated local information and official instructions. You may be asked to turn off utilities or evacuate if the tornado alters course.
• If you are advised to evacuate, follow all instructions carefully.
3Return home
• Once the tornado has passed, wait at least 5 minutes before leaving your place of shelter.
Choose a sturdy piece of furniture as your shelter
Take your radio with you to stay informed
If you are outside
!• Find the nearest sturdy building and head for
the basement or lay down on the ground floor.
• If you are close to a bridge, get underneath it.
• If there is no obvious shelter, lie flat on the ground, away from trees or structures that
could collapse, and ideally in a ditch. Cover your head with your hands.
• Be aware of the dangers of flying objects, falling trees, buildings that may collapse,
and damaged power lines.
• If you are in a car, do not try to outdrive a tornado: if it changes course you will be in
danger of being picked up in your vehicle.
• Get out of the car immediately and either find shelter or lie in a ditch or other
low-lying land with your hands over your head.
Protecting yourself If you are unable to locate a shelter, find a low-lying area and lie down, taking care to protect your head.
Protect your head from flying debris