1. KNOW WHERE TO GO
Having that safe spot already planned out helps you save time, which there isn't always a lot of when severe weather strikes. An underground location such as a basement is best, but other places such as closets, bathrooms, etc. are good as long as they do not have a window. In those locations you want to stay low to the ground, and crouch down almost like you are in the fetal position. Do not wait until severe weather strikes to figure this out. Have your plans set in motion ahead of time.
2. KNOW YOUR LOCATION
Do you know what county you live in? Do you know where in your county your town in located (southwestern edge, northeastern corner, etc.)? What time zone do you live in? These are very important things to know since ALL warnings are county specific, and often to only a portion of a county. For example, a tornado warning will usually read something like this, "Tornado Warning for eastern Smith county until 10pm Eastern Standard Time". You have to be able to listen or read those warnings and understand if that affects you or not because sometimes they do not list many specific towns in the warnings.
3. WINDOWS EQUAL DANGER
Do not stand or seek shelter by windows or glass doors. Not only is the glass very weak when it comes to flying debris, which can puncture through a window very easily. Also, that causes the glass to shatter and become a new weapon to cause injury. Also, there is a myth that states you should open your windows in a tornado to alleviate the pressure differences in your home, but this is not true, and can actually cause more damage to your home by providing a free entry point for flying debris.
4. DON'T STAY IN A MOBILE HOME
Mobile homes are not very safe at all. In fact, a mobile homes that is not tied down can be flipped or tossed in a 75mph wind. A trailer that is tied down can flip at speeds of 100mph. However, a minivan will not start to flip or be tossed around until winds hit a minimum of 140mph. So if you live in a mobile home, you need to get to a safe structure (even if it a grocery store or school down the street) before the storms hit. If you do not have enough time to do so, you should get in your car, as that will be a safer place than your mobile home. You should get in the back, and crouch down below window level and cover yourself with pillows and blankets in case the windows break.
This picture shows a mobile home that was not tied down that flipped over onto the car, which did not roll over, have it's windows busted out, or get punctured by debris.
5. HAVE A SAFETY KIT
You should have a Rubbermaid-like container of a few things set aside, in your safe spot if you have the room. Your kit should include things like flashlights, a blanket for every member of the family (including pets), a few pillows, bottled water, and essential prescriptions such as inhalers, diabetes medicines, etc.
6. WATCH vs. WARNING
A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable. Typically these are issued a few hours before the weather is supposed to hit your area so you have time to prepare. During this time you should start charging your cell phones, make sure you have fresh batteries in your flashlights and weather radios, and gather up your safety kit. A Tornado Warning means either a tornado/funnel cloud has been spotted and reported to the National Weather Service, or the radar is indicating that a tornado is imminent, so you need to seek shelter right away. The time for preparation is no longer an option here. When this happens you just need to grab your family and pets and get to your safe spot immediately.
Sources: Chattanooga Times Free Press, National Weather Service, NOAA, Athens News
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