If a tornado strikes while you’re in an apartment, act fast: go to the lowest level and the safest interior room away from windows. For example, head for a ground-floor bathroom, closet, or hallway (these have no windows) and get under something sturdy. Cover your head and neck with pillows, blankets or even a mattress. Never stay on a high floor or near exterior walls – put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. Once you’re sheltered and protected, stay put until officials say the danger has passed. The steps below explain how to prepare ahead of time, take cover during the tornado, and stay safe afterward, so you can protect yourself and others if a tornado threatens your apartment.
Before a Tornado: Plan and Prepare
- Stay informed. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and alerts so you know when tornado conditions are possible. Sign up for emergency alerts on your phone or weather radio. Make sure at least one person always has a working weather radio or smartphone with charged battery, so you hear warnings right away.
- Know your shelter locations. Talk with your family, roommates or neighbors about where everyone will take cover. Identify the safest place in your building – if there is a basement or storm shelter on-site, know exactly how to get there. (Ask your landlord or apartment manager if there is a designated shelter or safe room for residents.) If there is no basement or shelter, plan to use a first-floor interior room with no windows. According to the National Weather Service, you should discuss and practice where to meet if a tornado hits.
- Prepare an emergency kit. Assemble a tornado survival kit that you can grab quickly. Include at least 3 days’ supply of water and non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, a flashlight and extra batteries, a whistle, and any essential medications. Pack copies of important documents (ID, insurance) in a waterproof bag. Store this kit somewhere easy to access in your apartment’s safe room (or a closet, under a bed, etc.), so you can take it into your shelter area when the warning comes. If you have pets, keep food, water and a leash or carrier in your kit as well.
- Plan communication. Decide how you will contact family members or roommates if you get separated. Choose a central meeting spot (inside or outside your building) to regroup after the tornado has passed. Make sure everyone knows emergency phone numbers and how to text (texting often works better than calling when cell networks are busy).
- Secure loose items. Before storm season, bring in or tie down any furniture, potted plants, bicycles or other items on balconies or patios – high winds can turn them into dangerous flying debris.
By preparing now, you’ll act more quickly and safely when the tornado comes. When a warning is issued, skip any long trips and go straight to your shelter plan (you may only have minutes).
During the Tornado: Take Shelter in Place
- Go as low as possible. Move immediately to the lowest floor you can reach. If your building has a basement or underground parking, that’s ideal. If not, go to the ground floor of the building. (Even a few steps down can help – never stay on the top floors.) Some experts suggest asking your downstairs neighbors if you can shelter in their ground-floor apartment or hallway. If your building has an enclosed interior stairwell, you can also shelter under the stairs on the lowest level.
- Choose an interior room. Once you’re on the lowest level, go to a small, interior space with no windows. Good options include a bathroom, closet, or inner hallway. Avoid exterior walls, windows, and doors – even strong winds or shattered glass can be deadly. The National Weather Service advises “a center hallway, bathroom or closet” on the lowest floor as the next-best shelter if there’s no basement. (Tornado safety guides also note that bathtubs can offer extra protection because they are surrounded by sturdy walls.)
- Protect your body. Crouch down low (on your knees or seated) and cover up. Use your arms to shield your head and neck at the very least. If you have pillows, sleeping bags, thick blankets or a mattress, pile them over yourself. Even wearing a bike helmet or any helmet can help protect your skull in case of debris hits. The goal is to keep your body as shielded as possible: NOAA advises getting under something sturdy (like a heavy table) and “covering your body with a blanket, sleeping bag, or mattress” if you can.
- Stay away from elevators. Never use an elevator during a tornado warning – the power may fail and trap you. Take the stairs down (if time permits) or shelter in a nearby stairwell, but do not stay in the elevator or open the doors.
- Avoid large open spaces. Do not shelter in garages, lobbies or big-store corridors, which have wide-span roofs that can collapse. Instead, stick to small rooms and structural stairwells as described above.
- Wait for the all-clear. Stay in your safe spot until the tornado has definitely passed and the warning is over. Even if the wind seems to die down, it’s safest to wait for confirmation from local authorities.
Following these steps can greatly reduce your risk of injury. As a CBS News story reminds us: “Always get to the lowest level,” and “get as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors”. If windows are breaking, remember NOAA’s basic rule: avoid windows.
After the Tornado: Stay Safe and Assess Damage
- Remain sheltered until safe. Even after the tornado passes, keep listening to the radio or emergency alerts. The Red Cross advises staying in your shelter until the warning is officially over. Do not rush outside just because the sky looks clearer – sometimes multiple tornadoes occur or storm debris is everywhere. Only leave your shelter when local officials say it’s safe.
- Watch for hazards. Once it’s safe to exit, be extremely cautious. Look out for fallen power lines, gas leaks, and flying debris. The Red Cross warns to “stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines” and to watch for exposed nails or broken glass. Do not touch downed wires or try to move large debris by yourself. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, shut off the main gas valve (if you can do so safely) and evacuate.
- Check for injuries. Quickly check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid as needed (stop bleeding, treat shock) but wait for professional medical help for serious wounds. Do not move anyone with a suspected spine injury unless absolutely necessary. If someone is trapped under rubble, call 911 for trained rescue teams.
- Clean up carefully. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves and gloves when moving around outside or cleaning debris. The Red Cross recommends thick-soled shoes and work gloves to prevent cuts. If the power is out, use flashlights or battery lanterns – never use candles or matches because of fire risk. Keep children and pets away from the damaged area until it’s cleared.
- Document damage. If your apartment or building was damaged, take photos or videos of the wreckage and your personal property for insurance claims. Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or purchases (like boarding up a broken window). Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
- Seek help if needed. If you’re displaced or need assistance (food, shelter, emotional support), reach out to local relief organizations. Programs like the Red Cross can often provide aid after a major storm. And don’t forget: normal reactions include stress and shock. Give yourself and others time to recover emotionally.
Staying cautious and calm after the storm is just as important as preparing beforehand. Every step – from putting on shoes before venturing out, to avoiding downed wires – can prevent injuries during cleanup. Your goal is to help everyone stay safe until the emergency truly ends.
In summary
If you’re in an apartment when a tornado hits, immediately move to the lowest interior space possible and shelter in a small windowless room. Cover your head and keep listening for updates. Before tornado season, make a plan and pack an emergency kit so you’re ready. By preparing in advance and following these safety steps, you’ll be much better protected during severe weather. Stay safe, stay alert, and take action quickly when a tornado warning sounds.