Who could forget the opening scene of The Wizard of Oz, where a tornado rips Dorothy’s house off the ground, transporting both her and her dog to the magical land of Oz? Unlike Dorothy, if a tornado strikes, most of us here in the non-fiction world won’t be carried to a whimsical dimension. The adverse effects of tornadoes can be damaging, dangerous, and even deadly. The best way to prevent this is to stay informed and stay prepared. Let’s take some time to learn what to do in a tornado.
What To Do in a Tornado: Tornado Tips
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that protrudes down from a thundercloud to the ground. They usually form from cumulonimbus clouds, but in rare cases, they originate from cumulus clouds. Understanding the processes that lead to tornadoes can aid in making decisions on what to do in a tornado.
Cumulonimbus Culmination
Cumulonimbus clouds evolve into supercell clouds, which can create tornadoes. Supercell clouds are thunderstorms accompanied by the presence of a mesocyclone, a deep and pervasive cycling current of air.
Cumulus Accumulation
Cumulus clouds can lead to funnel clouds, which are cone-shaped with a needle-like protrusion that extends from the base of a cloud towards the ground. Funnel clouds are often precursors to tornadoes. For tornadoes to occur, winds need to be somewhere between 65 to 110 miles per hour, but they can reach as high as about 300 mph.
In the Midwest, tornadoes form when a northward air mass moves towards the Midwest and combines with a southward air mass from Canada. Tornado season peaks during late spring and early summer, but tornadoes can occur at any time of the year. Regardless of where you live or the time of year, it’s important to know what to do in a tornado.
Take Shelter
The key to protecting yourself in a tornado is taking action to minimize impacts. If you’re in a house, seek shelter in the basement or a safe room with few or no windows. If you’re at school or your place of work, you’ll want to follow the tornado drills and make your way to the designated shelter location. Avoid spacious, open rooms, such as cafeterias and gymnasiums. If you’re outside, the best step to take is to find a sturdy building to take refuge in. Sheds, tents, and mobile homes are not an option. If you’re in a vehicle, this is also not a safe option, and you should drive to the nearest shelter. If you can’t make it there in time, you can get down in an area of low elevation or in your car with your head covered.
Install a Shelter
One of the best preventative and safety measures you could take is to invest in an above-ground storm shelter, especially if you live in an area prone to lots of tornadoes, like the Midwest. Even if you don’t live in Tornado Alley, a storm shelter can be highly advantageous during severe storms and high winds.
Survive-A-Storm Extreme Above-Ground Storm Shelter
If you’ve been wondering what to do in a tornado, you might have just found your answer. This is one storm shelter built to make an impact- and reduce it. These steel-reinforced storm shelters can safely shield up to five people from severe storms. The heavy-duty quarter-inch steel and five-pound channel reinforcements render this above-ground tornado shelter strong enough to stand up to any storms. If you’re wondering how to protect pets in tornadoes, the Survive-A-Storm Shelter could be the solution to safeguard any cute critters.
What Makes This Shelter So Safe
The Survive-A-Storm Above-Ground Storm Shelter can be installed in your garage, carport, yard, or anywhere with a solid concrete base. This above-ground storm shelter was engineered for urgent access in the event of a storm. The durability and longevity of its construction were designed to outlast even the most tenacious of tornadoes. The door was intentionally designed with safety in mind, built to swing outwards to protect occupants. Rest assured with maximum security provided by the triple-locking single lever latch.
Inside the Survive a Storm Shelter
Inside the shelter is a locking bench seat that doubles as a resting place and a storage space for emergency supplies, non-perishable food, water, and valuables. These amenities and necessities transform the shelter into a habitable place of residence. Internal locking mechanisms do their part to maximize security during the storm.
Find The Perfect Storm Shelter
What to do in a tornado? You may not get transported to a whimsical dimension like Dorothy and Toto, but you will have peace of mind knowing you can transport yourself to a safe shelter! Browse top-quality shelters to become your lifesaver.
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