Tornado Safety Tips

In a tornado emergency, outdoor warning sirens would be used to notify residents that they should seek appropriate shelter and information regarding potential threats to safety and property.  Information can be obtained by turning on the radio, TV, or listening to an all-hazards (weather) radio for further information and instructions.

Keep in mind that sirens are an outdoor warning device.  Many households may not be able to hear the warning inside their home. Nelson County Emergency Management encourages all public buildings and offices, businesses and homeowners to purchase and use an All-Hazards Weather Radio to monitor and receive notifications of watches and warnings.  These radios can be set to automatically alert you of impending threats and can be purchased at most electronic and department stores.

Tornado Safety Tips

If at home:

• Go at once to a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.
• If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Get away from the windows. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.
• If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere. 

If at work or school:

• Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
• Kneel on the floor with elbows touching the floor. Use arms to protect head and neck.

If outdoors:

• If possible, get inside a building.
• If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a car:

• Never try to out drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
• Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If in the open country, run to low ground away from any cars which cold roll over onto you.  Lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of your head with your arms. 
• Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.