How To Stay Safe In A Tornado Shelter

Tornadoes are one of the most devastating storms that can happen to a community. They are unpredictable, and they can ruin lives in just minutes. Luckily, there is a way to stay safe during tornadoes: storm shelters! Storm shelters are typically located below ground near houses or buildings so that you have protection from debris caused by the tornado. This blog post will provide tips on how to stay safe inside of a storm shelter, what precautions should be taken before entering, and what it's like being inside one with an impending tornado approaching.

Tips To Help You Stay Safe In A Tornado Shelter

Tornadoes are spinning columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground below and are sometimes known as twisters. And they're no joke when it comes to fury. They can completely destroy houses, uproot trees, and fling objects through the air.

Tornadoes can move at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour, clearing a lane wide and more than 50 kilometers long. That's incredible! Tornadoes may happen in any place. Every state in the United States has witnessed tornadoes, but Texas holds the title.

Tornados in the United States generally travel from the Southeast during the colder months and towards the southern and central Plains in May/June, followed by the northern Plains and Midwest throughout early summer. They aren't always predictable, however. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand what to do if a tornado strikes so you can have confidence.

There are two indicators that you should be aware of. Take note of the distinctions between them: a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning. With a tornado watch, a tornado is possible. Stay on alert. Tornado Warnings mean that a tornado is on the way or has already struck. Get to a safe location as soon as possible.

Here are some safety ideas to help you and your family be prepared for the unexpected.

First - Get To Your Tornado Shelter

Make sure that there is a storm shelter near your house. If one isn't available, try to stay indoors until the tornado passes by. Being inside of a car during a tornado can be dangerous because it's made from flimsy material, and tornadoes are known to cause flying debris. Do not stay in a car if you are caught outside during a tornado.

If you are in your home and don’t have access to a tornado shelter, stay inside an interior room on the lowest floor possible. Stay away from windows and doors to ride out the storm, and make sure you don’t use anything electric. Only use battery-operated items.

Once the tornado has passed, do not leave until it is deemed safe by authorities or weather officials. Remember that there may be downed power lines or dangerous debris, and stay away from them.

Keep Calm and Stay Prepared

Once you are inside the storm shelter, stay calm. There will likely be no service for your phone once you're inside. However, there are ways you can entertain yourself by playing games with friends/family members, reading books, etc. Storm shelters aren't known for being the most lavish of places, but with the proper preparations, you and your family can be a little more comfortable and a little less scared when a tornado strikes.

Storm shelters vary in size, but usually, they are big enough to fit between six and eight people inside of them. Make sure that you have all the supplies needed for being inside a storm shelter by having flashlights, food/water rations, sleeping bags or blankets if possible, pillows, board games or cards, and any other things that you think may make the stay in a storm shelter more comfortable.

At Valley Storm Shelters, we offer several accommodations to make your tornado or storm experience feel a little less stressful. Check out all of our customization options for your storm shelter here and see which options are right for you and your family.

Have A Plan For After The Storm

Stay away from any debris or downed power lines after the tornado has passed by. They may still be dangerous even if it doesn't look like it.

If possible, stay with friends or family members after a tornado happens since your home may have been severely damaged during the event.

If something does happen, know that there is plenty of help available to those affected by tornadoes. You can always call the Red Cross or FEMA for more information about what they offer and where their relief centers are located. They also have apps on your phone, so you can stay up to date with everything that is going on after a tornado.

Conclusion

Don't wait for a tornado to happen! Instead, make "ready" your new motto. Prepare and empower yourself with the skills and information you'll need to keep you and the people you care about safe. We take enormous pride in assisting people to protect themselves and their families, and we recognize the significant responsibility that comes with purchasing our products.

For this reason, everything about our shelters has been created with a specific objective in mind: to provide the strongest, most durable, easiest-to-operate, and most protective and surviving aboveground steel storm shelter on the market. So get in touch with one of our experts today, and let’s talk about how we can give you peace of mind.