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Severe Weather Safety Tips: Tornado what to do indoors

By KBJR News 1
May 15, 2012 Updated May 15, 2012 at 10:05 PM CDT

There are a number of very important steps to take if a tornado has been sighted in your neighborhood. Most of us know we should head to the basement...but what should you do if you don't have a basement.


The best place to go is the center of your home, away from windows. A bathroom or closet is best. Windows tend to break and spray glass inwards in a tornado. Some have said to open the windows to lessen the chance of them breaking and to reduce the pressure inside your home...that is the exact wrong thing to do!
It's not the pressure that can tear apart your house, it's the wind! So keep your windows closed and get as far away from them as you can.


If you do have a basement, get your family and head down as quickly as possible. Try to get under something sturdy, like a work bench or drag a mattress over yourself and others.
Many believe that your should go to the southwest corner of your basement because the wind would blow debris away from you. That is also wrong!


Look for something to get under, away from windows and cover your heads.


Adam Clark


Chief Meteorologist


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