Should You Get in Your Bathtub During a Tornado? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Get in Your Bathtub During a Tornado? ›

According to the NWS, bathrooms may be a good shelter, provided they are not along an outside wall and have no windows. Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing magically safe about getting in a bathtub with a mattress. Bathrooms have proven to be adequate tornado shelters in many cases for a couple of reasons.

So, while it's not a foolproof plan — remember that bathtubs aren't inherently heavy enough to stand firm no matter what — sheltering yourself in the tub is a good idea if your bathroom is windowless and located in your home's interior.

Stay away from windows and out of auditoriums, gymnasiums, or structures with large free span roofs. answer. The best advice is to not drive when severe weather threatens! Remember, a tornado will not slow down for traffic, stop signs, or curves on the road.

When it comes to electrical conduction, the amount of water doesn't make much difference. That means being submerged in a bath during a storm isn't any more dangerous than taking a shower. Or doing the dishes or laundry, for that matter. And here's the really bad news: You should avoid the toilet, too.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that no place is “completely safe during tornadoes” but suggests that some places are better than others. The CDC advises people seek shelter in a basem*nt or any windowless room on the lowest floor — including bathrooms, closets or center hallways.

Getting into the bathtub with a couch cushion over you gives you protection on all sides, as well as an extra anchor to the foundation. Plumbing pipes may or may not help hold the walls together, but all the extra framing that it takes to put a bathroom together may make a big difference.

Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands.

Remember it is flying debris from tornadoes that causes the most injuries and fatalities.

An approaching cloud of debris especially at ground level, even if a funnel is not visible; A loud roar - similar to a freight train - or a strange quiet occurring within or shortly after a thunderstorm. A change in the color of the sky. Debris dropping from the sky.

Get away from windows and get underground

If neither is possible, head to the innermost room or hallway on the lowest level of your home. The goal is to put as many walls between yourself and the outside world.

Why fill your bathtub before a storm? ›

Water can often become compromised during a hurricane or storm, making it either undrinkable or stopping it from flowing from your taps entirely. By filling your bathtub, you will have access to water that can be used for many purposes in case your access to water is affected during the storm.

Use it for sanitation or cleaning purposes.

So next time there's a weather advisory in your area, fill up the tub before the storm comes through -- it might help you weather the storm a bit more comfortably!

Doing so could result in falls and injury. Instead, lower yourself while still in the tub, and use a bucket or the bathtub lid to protect your body and head until the quake subsides.

If you are at home

If you have a cellar, storm shelter, safe room or basem*nt available, go immediately to that area. If none of these options are available to you, get to the lowest level of your home. Get to a windowless interior room, such as a bathroom, closet or inner hallway. Stay as far from windows as possible.

5. If you are unable to take shelter in an interior room or basem*nt, get under a sturdy piece of furniture, if possible. Use a blanket, sleeping bag, mattress, pillow or cushion to protect your head and neck.

Avoid the open areas of buildings with wide-span roofs such as grocery stores, gyms, auditoriums and theaters. Deaths have occurred in large, single story department stores, like the Joplin, Missouri Walmart in May, 2011.

Water can often become compromised during a hurricane or storm, making it either undrinkable or stopping it from flowing from your taps entirely. By filling your bathtub, you will have access to water that can be used for many purposes in case your access to water is affected during the storm.

Tornadic waterspouts are simply tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.