Community Corner

How to Up Your Chances of Surviving a Tornado

Planning is key.

The best advice in preparing for severe weather is to plan ahead, according to Ben Miller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s (NWS) St. Louis Office.

“Know what you are going to do before it happens,” Miller said. “For families, figure out where you usually are and where you’re going to go in the event of severe weather.”

For detailed information from the NWS on severe weather preparedness and setting up plans for your family, click here.

Find out what's happening in Sunset Hills-Crestwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Go to the lowest level of the house, preferably a basement,” he said. “If that’s not possible, get into a bathtub and cover yourself with a mattress. A bathtub’s structure, especially the older ones, offers more protection.”

The NWS recommends the following in the event of a tornado warning: 

Find out what's happening in Sunset Hills-Crestwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Go to a basement —it is the safest place.
  • For extra protection, hide under sturdy furniture.
  • If a basement is not available, go to the lowest level and move to the center.
  • Go to an interior, small room.
  • Keep as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.
  • Stay away from windows and doors.
  • If you live in a mobile home, leave it immediately and move to a permanent structure or designated shelter.
  • As a last resort for mobile home owners, move to a low area outside, such as a ditch or ravine, stay low and protect your head.

Also important, Miller said, is knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a warning.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado, he said. Watches are usually issued several hours in advance of the development of a tornado.

A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or meteorologists are seeing signs on radar that a tornado is imminent, he said. You should take shelter immediately when a tornado warning is issued.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Sunset Hills-Crestwood