There are a lot of things you can do to make sure you never find yourself directly in the path of a tornado, but despite our best efforts, sometimes we still find ourselves in some pretty crappy spots. So, while we may devote plenty of videos to getting out of dodge before something bad lands in your lap, it’s just as important to know how to survive if escaping ahead of time wasn’t an option.

So what do you do if you find yourself directly in the path of a tornado?

  • Hide out in a storm cellar if at all possible. If not possible, head for a basement.
  • If not possible, jump in a bathtub or something else that’s firmly secured to the ground. Place a mattress over you to protect yourself from falling debris.
  • If you are sheltering in a group, interlock your arms to ensure no one is pulled away.
  • Stay as low as you can
  • DON’T STICK YOUR HEAD OUT TO FILM ANYTHING FOR FACEBOOK
  • Don’t emerge just because the storm seems to have stopped. It may be the eye. Wait for the all clear on the radio or until the sounds of the storm have passed for several minutes.

Feature image courtesy of the NOAA Photo Library via the U.S. Air Force