The seams of the sheets should meet on the wall studs. Attach the second layer of plywood at a 90-degree angle to the first, for added protection. Don't forget to stock your basement tornado safe room with food, water, a place to go to the bathroom, blankets and other necessities.
Is your basement a safe place to be in a tornado?
When tornado sirens are blaring, wondering where to seek shelter from the storm is the last thing you want to be thinking. And while your home's basement is the safest place to be in a tornado, they weren't built as storm shelters.
What should you do before a tornado hits Your House?
Here is a list of things to do to prep your house and your family before a tornado arrives: Store important items in a safe in the basement that is waterproof and fireproof. This may include social security cards, birth certificates, wills, car deeds, a marriage license, and other important family papers.
What should you put inside a tornado emergency kit?
Put together a tornado emergency kit. Details on what to put inside one of these are listed below. Store important items in a safe in the basement that is waterproof and fireproof. This may include social security cards, birth certificates, wills, car deeds, a marriage license, and other important family papers.
Where should you take shelter during a tornado?
Before a tornado is ever sighted in your area, choose a shelter spot in the basement that is away from any windows. Do not take shelter where there are heavy objects directly above you. For instance, make a mental note of where the refrigerator and piano are and avoid taking shelter in the basement beneath them.
What should I put in my basement during a tornado?
Beyond just food and water, there are other necessities that every basement tornado preparedness kit requires....Other Necessities for Tornado ReadinessFlashlights.Weather radio.Batteries.A first aid kit.Prescription medications.Whistle.Toilet paper, a bucket, and garbage bags.Paper towels.More items...•
How do you survive a tornado in a basement?
In a house with a basement: Avoid windows. Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table or work bench), or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) and do not go under them.
Is it safe to be in basement for tornado?
Basement. If you have a basement or storm cellar, that may be the safest place to be in a tornado. Basements are underground and offer more protection than any other room in your home. Find a sturdy object to hide underneath, such as a workbench.
What corner of the basement is safest in a tornado?
Keep your windows closed when a storm occurs. MYTH: The southwest corner of a basement is the safest area of your home. TORNADO SAFETY FACT: While it's true that the basement is the safest place to hide from a storm, no corner of the basement is better than the other.
Can you survive an EF5 tornado in a basement?
EF5. Barring a storm cellar or a specially constructed, reinforced room, a basement is the place where you're likeliest to survive a direct hit from a tornado. It's a pretty good bet, but it's not failsafe.
Can a house survive an EF5 tornado?
The home's walls were ripped from the foundation because nails were used instead of bolts. The “nothing can survive an EF5” myth is a detriment to policies concerning home and commercial building construction, says Timothy Marshall, a meteorologist and a civil engineer at Haag Engineering in Dallas.
How do you tornado proof a house?
Insulated concrete form walls are the best protection from windblown debris to a home and its occupants during a tornado event. An ideal choice for tornado-resistant wall construction is Fox Block ICFs. Fox Blocks contain thermal and structural features within a single, reinforced concrete wall section.
Where is safest place in house during tornado?
basementGo to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway). If possible, avoid sheltering in any room with windows. For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress.
Is a laundry room safe during a tornado?
An interior laundry room might also be acceptable, if it's an interior room. By the way, a room next to the garage is for all practical purposes, an exterior room because garages are particularly vulnerable to tornadoes. If you live in a mobile home, abandon it immediately for some proper shelter.
Is under stairs good for tornado?
The space beneath a stairwell is actually one of the most naturally safe places to build a tornado safe room. The structure of the stairs provides overhead protection, while the lack of windows or nearby water pipes provides added protection against flying debris.
How do you reinforce a room during a tornado?
0:242:57Wood Frame and Steel Sheathing Tornado Safe Rooms - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlywood. So you see the way this framing works is we're going to have you know uplift on the roof.MorePlywood. So you see the way this framing works is we're going to have you know uplift on the roof. So we're going to use a heavy duty hurricane tie to connect the roof to the stud. Here.
Should I go in crawl space during a tornado?
Ideally, crawl spaces are safe during a tornado. However, they are not 100% safe. You should not be in a space as confined as that when there's the risk of house collapse looming above you. Also, the piping and wiring down there are dangerous if it's exposed and you are close to it.
How to avoid getting blown on top of you in a tornado?
Get as far away from your vehicle as possible. If the tornado winds pick up your vehicle, you avoid the possibility of it getting blown on top of you. Do not hide under an overpass or bridge. This is one of the most dangerous places you can be during a tornado.
How to survive a tornado?
Put on shoes as you may have to walk through sharp debris at some point. Put on a helmet to avoid potential head trauma if things start falling down on you. Stay put in your basement or shelter for the duration of the tornado. Do not leave your basement until you are given the all clear from authorities.
What to do when a tornado knocks at your door?
When a tornado is knocking at your door and you are already hunkered down in your basement, storm cellar, or small interior room, here is what to do: Listen to your radio or TV for emergency information on the location and duration of the tornado. Put on shoes as you may have to walk through sharp debris at some point.
What to put in a tornado kit?
Details on what to put inside one of these are listed below. Store important items in a safe in the basement that is waterproof and fireproof. This may include social security cards, birth certificates, wills, car deeds, a marriage license, and other important family papers.
What to do if your home has a gas leak?
Proceed with caution as you leave your home as there could be a gas leak, downed power lines, biohazard waste or loose materials that may fall on you. Take pictures of the damage for your insurance company. Put pets on a leash or in a crate so they do not run around and get into areas that may hurt them.
What to do after a tornado?
Your house could be damaged, trees could be uprooted or you might need to clean up a flooded basement . Another common repair is the need to replace windows.
How to protect your home from fire?
Do not open any windows. Turn off the utilities in your home. This could help protect your home from additional damage such as a fire or electrocution. Put pets on a leash or in a crate and bring them down into the basement with you. You do not want them getting out and putting themselves in danger.
Before Heading to the Basement
If a tornado warning is in effect, a funnel cloud can occur at any time, so getting to the basement ASAP is of the utmost importance. Immediately gather children and pets before heading downstairs.
Shelter Near the Center of the Basement
When choosing a spot in the basement to gather and shelter, there are a few considerations. For one, a spot near the center of the basement and away from any windows is key. Windows are susceptible to air pressure and flying objects, so it’s best to stay away from them in a tornado.
A Stash of Food and Water is Critical
Unfortunately, storms can last quite a while, and tornadoes can cause widespread damage that results in extended rescue efforts. For that reason, it’s essential to have enough food and water on hand for everyone, including the family pets.
Other Necessities for Tornado Readiness
Beyond just food and water, there are other necessities that every basement tornado preparedness kit requires. Many of these items can stay in the basement, but be sure to check them on a monthly basis to ensure they’ll still serve their purpose. These items include:
When Sheltering in Place, Comfort Items Are Key
With the bare necessities covered, there are some other items that could make an extended shelter-in-place a little more comfortable (particularly for families). Items like sleeping bags, cots, extra clothing, and blankets can make a world of difference during the storm and the time thereafter.
Beware of Basement Dangers
While the basement is the safest place during a tornado, there are items in the basement that are potentially dangerous. Appliances mentioned earlier, including washers and dryers, water heaters, and furnaces, should be avoided.
Where is the safest place to go during a tornado?
If you know from which direction the storm is coming, the opposite corner of the basement is the safest spot, reports The Tornado Project. In any case, a workbench, heavy table or stairwell will ...
Which side of the Kansas tornado did the most damage?
In fact, the side furthest away from the approaching tornado -- the north side -- sustained the least damage.
How many tornadoes are there in the US every year?
The National Severe Storms Laboratory reports that there are about 1,000 tornadoes each year in the U.S. with an average of 60 deaths annually. These deaths are caused primarily by flying or falling debris. When we plan to seek shelter in a basement during a tornado, it's important to know where the safest spots are. Advertisement.
What are the dangers of being near a window?
One of the greatest dangers involves being near a window. Air pressure and flying debris cause windows to break. Exploding windows can injure or kill you. Before a tornado is ever sighted in your area, choose a shelter spot in the basement that is away from any windows.
When did the study of tornadoes begin?
It wasn't until 1966 when Professor Joseph Eagleman of the University of Kansas began an objective study looking at the aftereffects of tornadoes that people began to learn that the direction from which a tornado was coming was actually the most dangerous part of the house.
What to cover head with when things fly?
For added protection, cover your head with a sleeping bag, mattress, bedding , or any soft material you have available. Advertisement.
Where did the 1970 tornado hit?
He repeated the same study following a 1970 tornado in Lubbock, Texas. In that case, the tornado also approached from the southwest. Eagleman found that 75 percent of the homes hit were most damaged in the southwest corner. Advertisement.
What is the importance of shelter during a tornado?
Whether riding out a storm in a basement, bathroom or designed storm shelter, it is crucial to keep that space equipped with the right materials to stay safe.
What are the items that are used to protect against flying debris?
2. Pillows, blanketsand other bedding (pillows can also be used as protection from flying debris) 3. Essential documents (birth certificate copies, insurance policies, etc.) 4. Toilet paper and bags for sanitation. 5. Personal sanitation items (toothbrush, deodorant, etc.) 6.
How much floor space do you need for a basement shelter?
When planning to build a shelter, first consider how many people it will need to support. FEMA recommends at least 5 square feet of floor space for each occupant.
How often do you need to nailed studs for a shelter?
Framing requirements for a shelter are different from conventional framing. Studs are doubled-up and nailed together every 6 inches on both sides before they are installed in the wall framing. Also, some builders recommend triple top plates instead of the conventional double top plate construction.
Where to install skin on a door?
Install the skin on the exterior of the door wall and the exterior of the slant wall. Install the skin on the interior of the vertical wall and the other end wall. Seams between adjacent steel sheets should occur over studs vertically, and horizontal seams require blocking between the studs.
Can you build a shelter in an existing home?
But constructing a shelter can be difficult and expensive, particularly when you plan it in an existing home. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, offers a variety of free storm shelter construction plans and planning advice to the general public on its website. The least expensive and easiest to build existing basement retrofit option ...
