Rochester MN Emergency Management

Where would you go? If a tornado strikes, where is the best place at home? Most important - AVOID WINDOWS. People are hurt by flying debris. Choose a sturdy place, like under a stairway, or an interior room. At my house, I have an interior bathroom (no windows) on the first floor, and I feel it is sturdy with more framing in a small area. My second option is under the stairway. With no basement, my options are limited, but we can get all three of us in each area.

When shopping, where is the best place? See KARE 11/MPR report on Storm Ready: http://www.kare11.com/news/article/976284/396/Storm-Ready-What-businesses-have-done-to-prepare-for-a-major-storm

Storm Ready: What businesses have done to prepare for a major storm | kare11.com "Only certain businesses, such as those with chemicals or hazardous waste onsite, are required to have a disaster plan in place. Yet, no businesses are required in Minnesota to submit a disaster plan to the state," said James Honerman, spokesperson with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry...

Tornado Safety: In the car

Where is the best place to seek shelter when driving down the road? MPR and KARE teamed to provide a great series of reports on tornadoes and tornado safety. Are you stuck in traffic, or can't escape the path of a tornado? According to the report, the best place to shelter on the road may be in your car:

�Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
�If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
Read the full story: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/05/10/storm-ready-stuck-in-traffic/

If you're stuck in traffic, you have no good choices You're stuck in Minneapolis rush hour traffic on Interstate 94, near the Lowry Hill Tunnel. A thunderstorm spins out a tornado nearby. What can you do? Not much. You're now among the most vulnerable people in a tornado. There are no good options.

Tornado - Sighting a Funnel Cloud

We all know the shape of a "classic" tornado. If it does not appear to move left or right, assume it is coming directly at you. Don't delay. Seek shelter immediately.

What does a new - just forming - tornado look like? National Weather Service holds Skywarn training. During one training session, the meteorologist told us to look for "organized rotation" of clouds - meaning everything is moving in the same direction.

A "scud cloud" will have some features of a tornado - but, usually the cloud movement is slower, and disorganized. Bottom line...seek shelter. Better safe, than...