Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Author:     wolfie
Text:  Where is the safest in house location in the event of a tornado, and 
can a tornado occur during a downpour or does it always proceed or follow it?


Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      Mark Fernau
Text:        The safest place is in the basement or bottom level, in the 
center, near things that are connected to the house such as a toilet or load 
bearing walls, away from windows.  Most people killed in tornadoes are killed 
by flying pointy or heavy objects, i.e. stabbed or bludgeoned.  Second would 
be crushed by walls or thrown around until dead.  So the bathtub with a 
mattress over you or under heavy furniture would prevent stabbing or crushing.  
They used to say one corner was safer because the debris would go away from 
you, but I do not think they recommend that anymore.  Tornado can happen 
anytime.  The Plainfield, IL tornado that killed 29 was invisible inside a 
downpour.  They do tend to occur on the southwest side of a cloud system right 
next to the clear air, but there are exceptions.