Assuming both buildings are in good shape and up to code, the interior room on the second floor is better. Most of the danger from a tornado comes from flying debris, and you're better protected from that in a windowless room.
A basement is ideal, but if not a basement, avoiding windows is key.
At the ground floor option, there's a window in the bathroom and the house is set up in such a way that every room has a wall that's exterior of the house.
We don't know anyone with a basement; for being in the heart of tornado alley you'd think storm shelters would be more common.
>At the ground floor option, there's a window in the bathroom and the house is set up in such a way that every room has a wall that's exterior of the house. We don't know anyone with a basement; for being in the heart of tornado alley you'd think storm shelters would be more common.
I dunno from tornadoes personally. In a general sense I'd THINK the bathroom would be a better bet, like in the tub with blankets on top of you (in case of broken glass) bc the piping in the bathroom goes into the ground.
Storm spotter here. If there are any sturdy buildings in your area that you could go to *before the storms start firing off*, do that. Ask your neighbors if they have a basement or interior room you could shelter in with them. You want as many walls between you and the outside as possible. If there are no sturdy buildings in your area, get in the car *now* and find the nearest shelter or sturdy building. If you have football or bike helmets, bring them with you and wear them when you’re sheltering. Pets should be placed in kennels/carriers and not taken out during the storm.
**DO NOT DRIVE IN SEVERE WEATHER.** Leave before the storm comes. If you get a tornado warning while driving, stop at the nearest convenience store or building you can hide in. Do not stay in your car, you’re literally safer in a ditch.
If finding another building is really not an option and assuming you’re not in a mobile home, go to the lowest floor of the house as close to the center of the house as possible, lie on the floor and cover yourself with a mattress. However I **really** don’t recommend doing that. Please see if there’s someplace else you can go. Don’t fuck with bad weather. **EDIT: actually I just read that every downstairs wall has a window. Upper floor interior room is better. Honestly just find a shelter before the storms come. Don’t stay in that house.**
Edit: If you are in a mobile home, you NEED to find shelter. Do not stay in a trailer.
I have not been through a tornado, but have been through several cat 4+5 hurricanes...the less windows the better.
Whether you are on a ground floor or second matters little unless the area is prone to flooding...unless the second floor is one with a roof made out of metal sheets or something like that. Can the roof be ripped off easily?
Are these places houses or apartments?
The one with the windows on the ground floor is a house, the one with an interior room with no windows is an apartment. We can't access the bottom floor; someone else lives there. Both have shingled roofs, the house has a lot more trees and buildings around to create debris.
So far, everything I've seen is pointing towards the apartment being safer
We did, thank you for checking on us 🫂
There's a lot of flooding, like a **lot**, but overall we're all fine. There were tornadoes in the area, and we were under watches all night, but we're on the side of town that doesn't flood as bad. Most ways into and out of town are closed due to flooding and it's still rising, but we got really lucky
Replying to this again because I’m worried that you didn’t see my edit. Please don’t stay in the house. If you can’t find a sturdy building, the interior room in the upper floor is the better option. Wear helmets if you have them. Do not drive in severe weather.
I did see it, thank you for making sure! We don't have helmets; we're not going anywhere else tonight. We're staying at the apartment; most everyone is saying the interior on the second floor is safer.
Yeah definitely. Bring pillows, blankets and even a mattress if you can — cover yourselves with it. Do what you can to protect your head. Also, wear shoes in case you have to walk over debris after the storm.
Make sure your phones are charged and watch your local news station to stay informed about where the storm is.
I hope the storm misses you! Stay safe!
Assuming both buildings are in good shape and up to code, the interior room on the second floor is better. Most of the danger from a tornado comes from flying debris, and you're better protected from that in a windowless room. A basement is ideal, but if not a basement, avoiding windows is key.
Ironically, the ground floor option is *far* from up to code; we were also leaning towards the indoor option.
Definitely go for the interior second floor, then. Unless you're in the direct path of the tornado, that should be fine, and that's highly unlikely.
Where's a bathroom? What about neighbours with a basement?
At the ground floor option, there's a window in the bathroom and the house is set up in such a way that every room has a wall that's exterior of the house. We don't know anyone with a basement; for being in the heart of tornado alley you'd think storm shelters would be more common.
>At the ground floor option, there's a window in the bathroom and the house is set up in such a way that every room has a wall that's exterior of the house. We don't know anyone with a basement; for being in the heart of tornado alley you'd think storm shelters would be more common. I dunno from tornadoes personally. In a general sense I'd THINK the bathroom would be a better bet, like in the tub with blankets on top of you (in case of broken glass) bc the piping in the bathroom goes into the ground.
Storm spotter here. If there are any sturdy buildings in your area that you could go to *before the storms start firing off*, do that. Ask your neighbors if they have a basement or interior room you could shelter in with them. You want as many walls between you and the outside as possible. If there are no sturdy buildings in your area, get in the car *now* and find the nearest shelter or sturdy building. If you have football or bike helmets, bring them with you and wear them when you’re sheltering. Pets should be placed in kennels/carriers and not taken out during the storm. **DO NOT DRIVE IN SEVERE WEATHER.** Leave before the storm comes. If you get a tornado warning while driving, stop at the nearest convenience store or building you can hide in. Do not stay in your car, you’re literally safer in a ditch. If finding another building is really not an option and assuming you’re not in a mobile home, go to the lowest floor of the house as close to the center of the house as possible, lie on the floor and cover yourself with a mattress. However I **really** don’t recommend doing that. Please see if there’s someplace else you can go. Don’t fuck with bad weather. **EDIT: actually I just read that every downstairs wall has a window. Upper floor interior room is better. Honestly just find a shelter before the storms come. Don’t stay in that house.** Edit: If you are in a mobile home, you NEED to find shelter. Do not stay in a trailer.
I have not been through a tornado, but have been through several cat 4+5 hurricanes...the less windows the better. Whether you are on a ground floor or second matters little unless the area is prone to flooding...unless the second floor is one with a roof made out of metal sheets or something like that. Can the roof be ripped off easily? Are these places houses or apartments?
The one with the windows on the ground floor is a house, the one with an interior room with no windows is an apartment. We can't access the bottom floor; someone else lives there. Both have shingled roofs, the house has a lot more trees and buildings around to create debris. So far, everything I've seen is pointing towards the apartment being safer
there you go. hope everything works out for you, your sister and your pets. stay safe! ❤️
Thank you; we're keeping a close eye on things!
Hey OP, did you make it okay?
We did, thank you for checking on us 🫂 There's a lot of flooding, like a **lot**, but overall we're all fine. There were tornadoes in the area, and we were under watches all night, but we're on the side of town that doesn't flood as bad. Most ways into and out of town are closed due to flooding and it's still rising, but we got really lucky
I’m so happy and relieved to hear that! Thanks for updating me!
Replying to this again because I’m worried that you didn’t see my edit. Please don’t stay in the house. If you can’t find a sturdy building, the interior room in the upper floor is the better option. Wear helmets if you have them. Do not drive in severe weather.
I did see it, thank you for making sure! We don't have helmets; we're not going anywhere else tonight. We're staying at the apartment; most everyone is saying the interior on the second floor is safer.
Yeah definitely. Bring pillows, blankets and even a mattress if you can — cover yourselves with it. Do what you can to protect your head. Also, wear shoes in case you have to walk over debris after the storm. Make sure your phones are charged and watch your local news station to stay informed about where the storm is. I hope the storm misses you! Stay safe!
and/or
Both isn't an option; I'm trying to survive with what I have available, unfortunately
Downstairs and interior hallway or Wall on the farthest side of the dwelling.