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When a severe storm is approaching, some key tips can help keep you safe.
When looking back at the tornadoes, it is important to keep in mind the warnings and advice of your local meteorologist. 40/29 News Chief Meteorologist Darby Bybee said, “We’ll let you know exactly where the greatest risk is, and when that risk has passed for the communities that had to take cover.”
He added, “Once the storms form, it’s important to pay particularly close attention. Keep your phone on you.”
Additional advice he offered:
If you happen to find yourself in a predicament with a tornado warning being placed and do not live in a building where going underground is a choice, be sure to “find a spot in your home on the lowest floor, as interior as possible (as many walls between you and the outside as possible).”
The questions of where to go when living in an apartment or when you are on the road are prevalent. Bybee said, “If you’re on the second, third, etc. floor of an apartment, you still need to find the most interior spot possible.
If you can get downstairs to a trusted neighbor’s apartment or a nearby clubhouse, that could be better. But you should be very confident that the tornado is still far enough away before venturing outside. If you’re unfortunate enough to be out driving around or just not located in some kind of structure (camping, hiking, biking, boating, etc), you should first try to get to the nearest structure. If that’s not available, your absolute last resort is to get down low in a ditch or some low-lying spot.”
However, don’t worry too much about the upcoming months, as tornadoes are generally rare. “Even in conditions that look perfect for tornado development, not every storm will produce a tornado. In fact, most will not. And most tornadoes are of the weaker variety,” Bybee said.