Is it ok to seek shelter from a tornado in a room [basement room] with utility appliances?

Question

-water heater

-water softner

-boiler (oviously not on in the summer)

-washer & dryer

I was wondering what would happen if the water heater was damaged since it is on gas. Is there a safety switch on those things?

Answer 1

forget the stuff you listed.that's not what you need.what you need is.

games

stored food.

blankets and pillows

pet beds(if you have pets)

pet food(again if you have pets)

then yeah.a basement is a good place.make sure you have a good furniture with you to cover up.and make sure if you have pets.make sure they are with you.oh yeah.turn off gasses.and yeah,there is a main switch to shut down you entire house.

Answer 2

Well... I would probably not hide directly next to them.... :|... but, I'm sure you'd be a bit safe in the same room... just, not too close. But, I'm sure it's not the safest thing you can do, of course...

Answer 3

The appliances could move around and be harmful if the house took a direct hit, but regardless, it is best to huddle up in the SE corner of the house's lowest elevation (basement).and take a chance on the appliances.  The intake of cold water can be turned off, but there is still the risk of the water heater breaking and spewing its hot contents.  But, taking a chance on the water heater is a better bet than NOT getting in the safest place.  The threat of an interior gas line rupturing.can probably be obfuscated by turning off the gas where the pipe enters the house.

A well-constructed separate underground storm-cellar is safest of all, everything being equal; thus, a collapsing house is avoided.

Answer 4

Hide in the dryer. No seriously a tornado passes over an area fairly quick, so it won't matter. Even if there is a gas leak, the tornado will be gone and then you should exit the basement immediately. Most of the time the gas won't even be affected, tornadoes are very freakish.