Common Mistakes To Avoid During a Tornado

Tornadoes are unpredictable and can cause devastating damage in mere minutes. When faced with an impending tornado, knowing what to do, and just as importantly, what you should never do during a tornado, can mean the difference between safety and serious injury. 

While storm shelters, emergency preparedness kits, and evacuation plans all play a crucial role in tornado safety, avoiding common mistakes can further protect you and your loved ones.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What should you never do during a tornado?” This guide will cover the most critical missteps to avoid. Whether you’re at home, in your vehicle, or outdoors, taking the proper precautions will increase your chances of staying safe.

1. Ignoring Tornado Warnings

What should you never do during a tornado? One of the biggest mistakes people make is not taking tornado warnings seriously. With the frequent occurrence of severe weather alerts, it’s easy to become complacent. However, every tornado warning should be treated as a real threat.

Why It’s Dangerous:

Tornadoes can form rapidly with little warning. Waiting until you physically see a tornado puts you at immense risk, as the storm may already be too close for you to seek proper shelter. The National Weather Service issues tornado warnings based on radar detection and credible storm spotter reports, giving you a critical window to act. Ignoring these warnings due to past false alarms can lead to life-threatening situations.

What To Do Instead:

• When a tornado watch or warning is issued, prepare to take action.
• Have a designated safe space or storm shelter ready for immediate use.
• Tune in to weather updates through a reliable source, such as NOAA Weather Radio, local TV stations, or a weather app.
• Make it a habit to review and practice your emergency plan with family members, ensuring everyone knows their roles when a warning is issued.

Tornadoes don’t wait for convenience. The few minutes you have after a warning can be the difference between safety and disaster.

2. Standing Near Windows or Doors

It’s natural to want to look outside to see the approaching storm, but this is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Flying debris is a leading cause of injuries during a tornado, and windows can easily shatter under extreme wind pressure.

Why It’s Dangerous:

When a tornado hits, debris such as tree branches, glass, and metal fragments become deadly projectiles. Windows and glass doors are particularly vulnerable, and standing near them increases the risk of being struck by shattering glass or airborne debris.

Additionally, a long-standing myth suggests that opening windows helps equalize pressure and prevents structural damage. In reality, opening windows allows wind to enter, increasing the risk of structural failure and exposing occupants to even more hazards.

What To Do Instead:

• Move to an interior room without windows, preferably a basement, bathroom, or designated storm shelter.
• Stay away from doors, as strong winds can rip them open.
• Use blankets, mattresses, or even helmets to protect yourself from falling debris and shattered glass.
• If you have a storm shelter installed by Lone Star Safe Rooms, ensure it is stocked with emergency supplies and is accessible for quick entry.

Your safety depends on minimizing exposure to the outside elements. What should you not do during a tornado? Standing near windows or doors is at the top of the list. When a tornado strikes, your best defense is a secure, enclosed space away from windows and doors.

3. Taking Shelter in a Large, Open Space

Gyms, cafeterias, shopping malls, and auditoriums may seem sturdy, but they offer little protection during a tornado. Large open areas are more prone to roof collapse, and without reinforced walls, flying debris can travel unimpeded.

Why It’s Dangerous:

Tornadoes create intense winds that can easily lift roofs, break walls, and hurl debris across vast spaces. Large rooms often lack the structural support needed to withstand such forces. In the event of a roof collapse, occupants are left vulnerable and exposed.

What To Do Instead:

• If you are in a public place, move to a designated storm shelter or an interior hallway away from windows.
• Avoid areas with high ceilings or weak structural support.
• If you cannot get to a safe room, take cover under a heavy piece of furniture and shield your head from debris.
• For businesses, installing a commercial-grade safe room can provide a secure area for employees and customers during severe weather.

Choosing the right shelter can save lives. Open spaces may seem convenient, but their lack of protective barriers makes them hazardous during a tornado.

4. Attempting To Outrun a Tornado in Your Car

Some people believe they can outdrive a tornado, but this is a dangerous gamble. Tornadoes can change direction suddenly, and even the fastest vehicles can’t outrun the most powerful storms. Driving puts you at risk of being caught in strong winds, struck by debris, or even having your vehicle lifted off the ground.

Why It’s Dangerous:

Tornadoes can travel at speeds exceeding 70 mph, often faster than a car in heavy traffic or rural roads. Debris from the storm can pierce through windshields, and sudden wind gusts can overturn vehicles. Attempting to escape by car also increases your chances of getting stuck in traffic or encountering downed power lines and fallen trees.

What To Do Instead:

• If a tornado is approaching and you are driving, look for a nearby sturdy building to take shelter in.
• Pull over to the lowest point possible, such as a ditch or culvert, and cover your head with your arms if no shelter is available.
• Never try to take refuge under an overpass or bridge. Winds can accelerate in these areas, making them even more dangerous.

Being on the road during a tornado is risky, but making informed decisions can help you survive. What to do in a tornado when driving includes stopping, seeking shelter, protecting yourself, and not trying to outrun the storm.

5. Hiding Under an Overpass or Bridge

A common misconception is that an overpass provides sufficient shelter from a tornado. These structures can create wind tunnels that intensify the storm’s force, making it even more hazardous. The wind speeds increase significantly, making it easier for debris to strike or even lift a person off the ground.

Why It’s Dangerous:

Overpasses and bridges offer little to no protection from tornado winds. The funneling effect can amplify wind speeds, while the lack of walls exposes individuals to flying debris. Additionally, structural integrity can be compromised, leading to potential collapse.

What To Do Instead:

• If caught in the open, seek out a sturdy building.
• If no buildings are available, lie flat in a ditch, covering your head with your hands to protect yourself from flying debris.
• Avoid staying in vehicles under overpasses. These areas are not safe.

Tornado safety is about minimizing exposure and finding solid protection. While overpasses may seem convenient, they pose more risks than benefits.

6. Underestimating the Aftermath

Many people assume the danger is over once a tornado passes. However, the aftermath can present serious hazards, including downed power lines, gas leaks, and unstable structures.

Why It’s Dangerous:

Post-tornado environments are often chaotic, with debris scattered across streets and neighborhoods. Power lines can still be active, gas leaks can ignite fires, and damaged buildings may collapse unexpectedly. Rushing out too soon can expose you to these dangers.

What To Do Instead:

• Stay in your shelter until authorities confirm it is safe to leave.
• Avoid touching fallen power lines, and report them to emergency responders.
• Use a flashlight instead of candles to prevent accidental fires.
• Be cautious when walking around damaged buildings, as structural integrity may be compromised.

Patience after a tornado is essential. Waiting for clearance from emergency services ensures you avoid post-storm hazards.

7. Failing To Prepare Ahead of Time

Tornadoes can strike with little warning, and last-minute scrambling can put you at risk. Without a plan, you may find yourself in a dangerous situation without access to proper shelter or emergency supplies.

Why It’s Dangerous:

A lack of preparedness means you may not have the necessary supplies or knowledge to stay safe. Inadequate shelter, missing emergency kits, and unfamiliarity with emergency procedures can escalate the risks during a tornado.

What To Do Instead:

• Have an emergency kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit.
• Know the safest place to take shelter in your home, office, or school.
• Install a storm shelter from Lone Star Safe Rooms to ensure maximum protection.
• Practice tornado drills with your family and ensure everyone knows the emergency plan.

Preparedness is your best defense. Investing time in planning and equipping your space can save lives when disaster strikes.

Ensure Maximum Safety With a Lone Star Safe Room

Understanding what to do in a tornado is just as important as knowing what you should never do during a tornado. But the best thing you need is to keep you and your family protected with a safe room. Lone Star Safe Rooms provides customizable, FEMA-compliant shelters that fit perfectly in your home or business, offering peace of mind during severe weather.

Backed by a lifetime warranty and installed by our expert team, our safe rooms safeguard your family, employees, and property for years to come.

Learn more about our pricing or contact Lone Star Safe Rooms today to secure your safety.