Tornado Preparedness

It’s been a terrible year for tornadoes. You have to remind yourself and family what to do when bad weather comes. But unlike a few places that have been hit – we are prepared here in Minnesota with a warning system in place and basements. RISMedia has recently posted some great advice…

Tornado Safety
Here are ways you can protect yourself and your family if a tornado threatens:
• Before the storm:
- Develop a plan of action
- Have frequent drills
- Have a NOAA weather radio with a warning alarm tone
- Listen to weather information
- If planning a trip outdoors, listen to forecasts
• In homes or small buildings:
- Go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor (i.e., closet or bathroom). Upper floors are unsafe
- Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself from flying debris
• In schools, hospitals, factories or shopping centers:
- Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass-enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses
- Crouch down and cover your head. Don’t take shelter in halls that open to the south or the west. Centrally located stairwells are another good shelter
• In mobile homes:- Abandon them immediately and go to a designated shelter or ditch. Most fatalities occur in mobile homes or vehicles.
• In automobiles:
- If possible, get out and go to a sturdy structure or ditch
- If there isn’t time, buckle your seat belt and get below window level of your vehicle

Submitted by Minnesota exclusive home buyer agent, Mary Rugani.