The safest course of action during a tornado warning when you reside in a mobile or manufactured home is to evacuate immediately and seek sturdy shelter elsewhere. Delaying this decision could be fatal. Identify and practice your evacuation plan before a tornado watch is issued.
Understanding the Risk
Mobile homes, travel trailers, and manufactured homes are especially vulnerable to tornado damage. Their lightweight construction and anchoring methods make them susceptible to being overturned or destroyed by even relatively weak tornadoes. This vulnerability stems from the lack of a strong foundation and the relatively large surface area exposed to high winds. Unlike traditional homes built on permanent foundations, mobile homes offer little resistance against the upward lift and lateral forces generated by a tornado.
Therefore, the information provided here focuses primarily on how to improve your odds of survival by getting out of the trailer and into safer shelter. Staying in a trailer during a tornado is statistically the least safe option.
Immediate Action: Evacuation is Key
The moment a tornado watch is issued, assess your surroundings and review your pre-determined evacuation plan. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop in your area. This is your time to prepare. Once a tornado warning is issued – meaning a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar – immediate evacuation is crucial.
Where to Go
Prioritize these shelter options in the following order:
- Underground Shelter: A properly constructed storm cellar or underground bunker is the safest option. Ensure it’s easily accessible, well-maintained, and stocked with emergency supplies.
- Community Shelter: Many mobile home parks and communities have designated storm shelters. Know the location of your nearest shelter and practice getting there quickly.
- Sturdy Building: A nearby brick or concrete building, such as a school, church, community center, or government building, offers significant protection. Seek the lowest level and interior rooms away from windows.
- Designated Safe Room: Some homes have safe rooms specifically designed to withstand tornado-force winds. These are typically reinforced structures within the home.
What to Do During Evacuation
- Secure Your Trailer: If time permits without jeopardizing your safety, secure loose objects outside your trailer that could become projectiles, such as patio furniture, garbage cans, and decorations.
- Travel Safely: Drive carefully and monitor weather updates. Avoid driving through heavy rain or flooded areas.
- Inform Others: If possible, alert your neighbors to the tornado warning and encourage them to evacuate.
- Bring Emergency Kit: Grab your emergency kit containing essential items like water, food, medications, a flashlight, a radio, and important documents.
If You Absolutely Cannot Evacuate
While evacuation is always the preferred option, certain circumstances might prevent it. This is a last resort, not a plan. If you are physically unable to leave or have no access to a safe shelter:
- Interior Room: Seek shelter in the smallest, most interior room of your trailer, away from windows and exterior walls.
- Protect Yourself: Cover yourself with blankets, pillows, and a mattress to shield yourself from flying debris.
- Crouch Low: Crouch low to the ground, facing down, and cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Stay Away from Windows and Doors: These are the most vulnerable areas of the trailer.
This offers minimal protection and should only be considered if no other option exists.
After the Tornado
- Stay Informed: Listen to weather reports for updates and instructions from emergency officials.
- Assess Damage: Carefully inspect your trailer and surrounding area for damage. Avoid downed power lines and flooded areas.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you or anyone else is injured, seek immediate medical attention.
- Document Damage: Take photos and videos of the damage for insurance purposes.
- Contact Insurance: Contact your insurance company to file a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: How do I know if a tornado watch or warning has been issued?
Stay informed by monitoring weather reports on television, radio, and online. Use a NOAA Weather Radio or a weather app on your smartphone that provides alerts for your specific location. Sign up for community alerts from your local emergency management agency.
FAQ 2: What should be in my emergency kit?
Your emergency kit should include: water (one gallon per person per day for several days), non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, dust mask to help filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, a can opener for food, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers.
FAQ 3: Are some areas of a mobile home park safer than others?
No, the relative location within a mobile home park makes little difference during a tornado. The primary danger comes from the inherent vulnerability of the structures themselves. Focus on getting out of the park.
FAQ 4: What if I have pets?
Include your pets in your evacuation plan. Ensure you have a carrier or leash for each pet, along with food, water, and any necessary medications. Not all shelters accept pets, so identify pet-friendly shelter options in advance.
FAQ 5: Can tying down my mobile home improve its safety during a tornado?
Properly installed and maintained tie-downs can offer some degree of protection, but they are not a guarantee of safety during a tornado. Even with tie-downs, a strong tornado can still cause significant damage or destruction. They are most effective against straight-line winds, not the rotating forces of a tornado.
FAQ 6: What’s the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop in your area. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. A watch is a heads-up; a warning means immediate action is required.
FAQ 7: If I can’t get to a shelter, is it better to stay in my car?
A car is generally safer than a mobile home during a tornado, but it’s still not ideal. If you are caught in your car during a tornado, park it as quickly and safely as possible, put your seatbelt on, and duck down below the windows, covering your head with your arms. However, seeking shelter in a sturdy building remains the best option.
FAQ 8: How far away is far enough to be safe from a tornado?
There is no definitive “safe” distance, as tornadoes can be unpredictable and change direction quickly. The best approach is to seek shelter in a sturdy building that is structurally sound and can withstand high winds. The further away you are from the potential path of the tornado, the better, but even a nearby tornado can cause significant damage.
FAQ 9: Should I open windows during a tornado to equalize pressure?
This is a dangerous myth. Opening windows does not equalize pressure and can actually increase the risk of injury by allowing debris to enter the building. Keep all windows and doors closed.
FAQ 10: How can I help my community prepare for tornadoes?
Volunteer with your local emergency management agency, participate in community preparedness exercises, and share information with your neighbors about tornado safety. Encourage your mobile home park management to develop and implement a tornado safety plan, including a designated shelter and evacuation procedures.
FAQ 11: What are the signs that a tornado is approaching?
Signs include a dark or greenish sky, large hail, a loud roar that sounds like a freight train, a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, and debris falling from the sky. If you see any of these signs, seek shelter immediately.
FAQ 12: How do I recover from the emotional trauma of experiencing a tornado?
Experiencing a tornado can be a traumatic event. Seek support from friends, family, and mental health professionals. Consider joining a support group for survivors of natural disasters. Allow yourself time to process your emotions and avoid isolating yourself. Remember that it’s normal to feel anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed after a tornado.