Taking shelter from tornado?

Question

They say if you live in a mobile home to evacuate in case of a tornado, I live in a wooden house on stilts by the river, it's not a mobile home but I don't think it's very safe for tornados what should I do? Do I go under the house? or stay in the center bathroom? or would it be best to evacuate?

Answer 1

This question is best answered by a local expert.  The main reason why mobile homes are not safe is because they are not usually attached to a foundation.  So they can be relatively easier to move or get lifted up into the air or even rolled/tossed along the surface when compared to a home that is anchored to a foundation.  If your home is built to hold up to strong winds, even if it is wooden and built on stilts, it may be safer to take sheltered inside your home.  An example that comes to mind are those homes built near the gulf coast where the homes are wooden and elevated, but are built to code for the threat of hurricanes.  

My advice is for you to contact an engineer, a local emergency official, or someone from your local National Weather Service office (if you reside in the U.S.) and get advice from them.  To find out which NWS office is resonsible to your area, please click on the following link.

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

Answer 2

I wouldn't get under the house.  It could collapse on top of you.  Also, wind currents actually increase in small spaces and the wind under the house could be worse.  I remember when several people died under a highway overpass thinking it was safer, but the wind underneath increased because it was a smaller space and not below ground level.  I think the center bathroom inside the tub is a pretty good place, but if you have the time (which you don't always have) evacuation might be your best bet.