Tornado warning safety: Here’s what you should do
Here’s how to stay safe during a tornado warning
Tornadoes are a threat across Canada during the warm season. They can happen anywhere from British Columbia to the Atlantic provinces.
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been spotted on the ground or rotation has been detected in your area by weather radar. Take shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
Your best option during a tornado warning is to take shelter in a basement or a storm cellar.
If you don’t have a basement, go to a small, windowless, interior room on the lowest floor of the building—such as a bathroom, a hallway, or a closet.
If you’re in a high-rise building, move to a hallway or interior room on the lowest floor possible.
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The goal of tornado safety is to put as many walls and barriers between you and flying debris as possible. Stay away from windows, doors, and exterior walls.
You can climb into a bathtub and crouch down low, or get under something sturdy like a heavy table or a workbench. Cover your heat and neck with your arms. If you have a heavy blanket, mattress, or helmet, use it for extra protection.
If you’re in a mobile home, leave it immediately and go to the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter. If that’s not possible, lie flat in a low-lying area like a ditch, cover your head, and stay alert.
If you see a tornado while driving, do not try to outrun it. Get out of the vehicle and seek shelter in a nearby building, a ditch, or a low-lying area.
Remember: never hide under an overpass. These structures offer no protection from tornadic winds or flying debris, and they can actually make the winds worse.
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