Tornadoes

 
 

In North Carolina, tornadoes can occur with little or no warning throughout the year.  The peak season, however, is March through May. 

If you were to see a tornado approaching, you would only have a short time to make life-or-death decisions.  Knowing the basics of tornado safety, planning ahead and holding an annual tornado drill lowers the chance of injury or  death if a tornado were to strike in your community.

Identify Safe Areas

At Home
Seek shelter on the lowest possible floor or in the basement. Under the stairs or in a bathroom or closet are good shelter spots. Do not open or close windows, stay away from them. Crouch on the floor in the egg position.

At Work
Seek shelter on the lowest possible floor or a basement, if there is a basement. Stairwells, bathrooms and closets are good spots. Stay away from windows. As a last resort, crawl under your desk.

At School
Seek shelter in interior hallways, small closets and bathrooms. Stay away from windows. Get out of mobile classrooms. Stay out of gymnasiums, auditoriums and other rooms with a large expanse of roof. Bus drivers should be alert for bad weather on their routes.

At The Mall
Seek shelter against an interior wall. An enclosed hallway or fire exit leading away from the main mall concourse is a good spot. Stay away from skylights and large open areas.

Click on the topic(s) below for additional information:

Safety Tips
Tornado Facts
Watches & Warnings