If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, there is no safe place inside during a tornado. It’s essential to have a plan in advance.
The safest location for those living in a house or apartment is on the lowest floor in an interior room without windows, such as a closet, bathroom, or central hallway. If available, a basement is the best option.
Research indicates that you typically have an average of 14 minutes from when a tornado warning is issued to when the tornado impacts your location.
If you require assistance getting to a safe area, it’s wise to have multiple plans depending on your location, such as at home, work, school, or the grocery store. Arrange with a neighbor, coworker, or fellow student for a ride if necessary, and be sure to exchange cell phone numbers and save each other’s contacts.
To ask for help, be direct and say, "As you know, tornadoes often touch down where we live, and I don't have a way to get to a safe place. Would you be willing to bring me with you to your safe place or go to one together?"
Regarding when to go to your safe space, being aware of severe weather ahead of time is crucial. Stay informed about the evolving conditions during a tornado watch, usually issued for up to six hours. Regularly checking weather apps or TV news throughout the tornado watch can help you determine when to leave your mobile home for safety. Additionally, signs that weather conditions are worsening or that meteorologists are concerned about the likelihood of a tornado impacting your area can prompt you to take action.
Remember, when a tornado warning is issued, the tornado is here or near. Those who live in a house, work, or study in a building immediately go to your safe place, the lowest interior, windowless room. Those who live in mobile and manufacturing homes should already be in their safe place, and to be there, you need to plan ahead of time and get there during the tornado watch.
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