Tornado Safety for Homes Without Basements

Common sense dictates that when the tornado sirens go off in the neighborhood, most people will head down to the basement or cellar to take refuge before the big storm hits. That safe evacuation point only applies to those fortunate enough to live in a home or work in a building with a basement or below grade shelter. Those that do reside in structures resting on a foundation at ground level must consider alternative safe havens during a violent storm. There are a few alternatives to consider when faced with impending tornado danger and there is no basement to take refuge.

Establish Good Neighbor Policy for Tornado Shelter Access

If residing in a home with no basement, consider friends or neighbors down the street that have homes with such underground shelters. Discuss emergency arrangements with local friends that allow you to come over when weather begins to turn unfavorable outside. Make sure your neighbor is comfortable and understands your potential visit no matter the hours of the day or evening. Seeking shelter at a friend or neighbor's home should only be sought it is absolutely known there is still plenty of time to get to that safe destination. One does not want to be caught venturing outdoors when a tornado is about to bear down on the neighborhood. For those that have basements in their homes, make sure to extend a welcome to those friends that do not so they can be reassured they have a place to go when danger approaches.

Seek inner core rooms of home

If there is no time to seek alternate shelter, you must seek the safest point in the home to ride out the storm. Generally the best area to seek is a room with no windows. This room should be ideally located at the innermost portion of the home which would be an inner core closet or storage area beneath staircase. When seeking shelter in a closet, make sure the room is big enough for family members including pets. Bring a bottle or two of water and some blankets for cover.

Centrally located bathrooms or powder rooms are also good places to seek shelter. Crouch down low in the bath tub and cover with blankets or mattress. Try to avoid bathroom shelter if located on the perimeter of the home and there are windows present.

No safe inner core shelter

When all else fails and there are no windowless rooms to take refuge, try to find the most centrally located room or room surrounded by the most walls and crouch low to the ground and cover head and neck. Consider adding extra safety measures such as covering up with mattress and blankets. Also consider having everyone wear protective head gear such as bike or sports helmets. This step will protect the head from flying debris should the home begin to crumble.