I live on the 2nd floor of the apartment with no basement. Where would I take shelter if a tornado surfaces?

Question

The second floor is the highest point in the building and I might/might not make it down to the neighbors on the first floor in time in case one does show up.

Answer 1

If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Center hallways are often structurally the most reinforced part of a building.

Answer 2

I used to be afraid of tornados, but have learned a lot since moving here.

One..you have a computer. There are many weather sites, that you can become comfortable with. In tornado season, if you are in certain areas of the country.. get used to watching the evening news, to know the risks.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/nwspage.php

here is one site I use, and I also use

www.intellicast.com

I'll often have several windows up in bad weather. The trick is to see what is heading your way, how intense it is, the speed it is moving. You will know when tornado WATCHES are issues (means, be alert), or warnings, which is one is likely NOW.  Using radar.. you normally can tell how close the storm is, giving you time.

Make friends with the downstairs neighbor, and keep him/her up to date. You normally have enough time to go down without breaking neck on the stairs, and the best place is interior room (bathroom?) or hall. You don't wait for the sirens to go off, if it is high risk weather.  

Answer 3

The bathroom tub, but even there could not be a for sure safe spot. Maybe there is somewhere in your apartment building that is small and confined and mainly made of cement! Look around your apartment.

If all else fails get in your bathtub because bathrooms dont have many windows and there pretty solid!

be safe! Take cover

:)

Answer 4

An interior room away from windows would be a good choice.  A bathroom in the tub would be best if possible.