Not one state in the continental U.S. has escaped the wrath of tornadoes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, tornado season runs between May and June in the Southern Plains, June and July in the central United States, and earlier in the spring on the Gulf Coast. But tornadoes can strike at any time of the year. If a tornado is spotted:
- Seek shelter immediately
- If you're away from home, seek out a basement, interior corridor, tunnel, underground parking lot or subway
- Avoid auditoriums, upper floors of buildings, trailers and parked vehicles
- Stay away from all windows
- If you're out in the open, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area and protect your head; stay away from poles or overhead lines
- If you're driving, drive at right angles to the tornado's path; if you can't escape it, get out of the vehicle and seek a low-lying area
- If you're at home, head for the basement and take cover under a heavy table or workbench; if you don't have a basement, go into a windowless room in the center of the house
- Stay away from windows and cover yourself with a rug for protection against flying glass and debris
- Know the difference between a watch (conditions are favorable for a tornado to form) and a warning (a tornado has been spotted in your area and you should take shelter immediately)
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