Illinois Severe Weather Preparedness Week: Storm Shelter

One of the many questions we get asked when out is "Where is the safest place to go when there is a tornado?".  As we continue with Illinois Severe Weather Preparedness Week, it's important to know where to take shelter should a tornado warning be issued for your location.

First and foremost, it's very important to remain updated with the forecast and changing weather conditions when there is a threat for severe weather.  Knowing ahead of time will give you a better chance to react when severe weather occurs.  If you're at home the safest location to seek shelter is in your basement.  If you don't have a basement, the lowest level of your home in an interior and windowless room, such as a closet or bathroom.  The idea is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.  Bring something with you to help protect your head and neck from falling debris such as pillows, blankets or a helmet.  These are all things you should have in your severe weather preparedness kit.

If you live in an apartment building or are spending time in a dorm, you will want to get to the lowest level of the building and either in an interior stairwell or interior, windowless room.  Again, bring something to cover you head and neck from falling debris.

Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes and it's important to try and seek shelter elsewhere.  If you can (and your best option), before the storms begin, make plans ahead of time to stay with family or friends who live in a sturdy building, or go to a designated storm shelter.  You're very last resort is to lie low and flat with your hands over your head in a ditch or ravine.  But again, that's an absolute last resort and should NOT be your first choice during severe weather.

You can find more information on severe weather preparedness here.