How to survive a tornado

Tornados are relatively rare in southern Ontario, but when they touch down they damage not only our property but our general sense of security.

The violent windstorms have been all over the news in the U.S. In April, Harvard Health Publications, part of the Harvard Medical School website, published a guide on how to survive a tornado.

Here is the full text of the tip I find a bit frightening, mainly because in times of crisis it seems to make sense to flock to the mall à la Dawn of the Dead to scoop up rubber boots and shovels. 

"Avoid “long-span” buildings. Shopping malls, theaters, and gymnasiums can be especially dangerous because the roof is supported only by the walls. If there is no time to leave such a building to get to a safer place, get under a door frame or something else that could deflect falling debris."

Their information was compiled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. There are links to both sites if you wish to dig further.

Looking around for information on how safe it is to be on the seventh floor of an apartment building. I know enough to stay away from the windows and am fairly sure it would take a storm of biblical proportions (enjoy this video message from Harold Camping that at least for now threat seems to have passed ) to do serious damage. But wondering what it would take to make the building sway? I'm hoping I don't get to find out.

P.S. The fact that Rogers has a commercial leading into Camping's prediction of the next rapture seems like a sign of the end of the world to me.

Comments

[Michele]

I really appreciate your blog on raising the awareness of the issue of being prepared. With the unusual weather patterns and the uncertainty of the economy (especially the US), we should always be ready for an emergency. Thanks for the many helpful articles you've written. I have been writing a few thoughts on food storage as well (http://my-food-storage.com). Would you mind if I reference some of your posts on my blog? I will definitely credit you and leave the original URL intact. Thanks!!!