Stay Weather Safe: How To Prepare For A Tornado In An Apartment In Bloomington
Residing in the Midwest, you can expect dangerous weather every year. Odds are, your area will even experience a tornado warning at certain times. While most people know how to take cover in a house during a tornado, the advice for apartment dwellers is not as clear. If you don’t have a cellar to go to, here’s how to prepare for a tornado in an apartment in Bloomington.
Tornado Sirens? Where To Take Shelter In Your Apartment Building
When the tornado alerts sound outside your Bloomington apartment, where can you take shelter? A limited number of apartments have below-ground levels. You might even reside on one of the upper levels.
While few tornadoes are intense enough to destroy a large apartment building, smaller tornadoes can still propel debris through windows, rip off roofs, or uproot trees. Always seek shelter during strong winds or tornado warnings in one of these locations:
- An underground level of your parking garage
- The bottom floor of your building, and not close to windows
- A ground-floor neighbor’s apartment
- Interior stairwells or halls without windows
- A closet or interior room of your apartment
- Below a heavy table
- Inside the bathtub with a heavy blanket as protection
When you shelter, don a bike helmet or cover your head with an oversized pillow for added protection.
Prepare Ahead Of Time For Severe Weather
The smartest way to prepare for a tornado in your apartment in Bloomington is to stay weather aware and plan ahead. Your plan should include some critical supplies if you become trapped in your home or have to leave quickly. Choose a dedicated spot to store your disaster kit and include the following:
- Handheld radio
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Spare set of house and car keys
- Mobile phone charger
- Cash
- First aid kit
- Photocopy of your ID
- Non-perishable snacks
- Sealed water
- Crucial medications
- Pet essentials
Inspect your emergency kit every six months to verify they still work, and replace the water and snacks. When you get a tornado warning, take proper shoes and clothing with you when sheltering.
Severe winds can easily take out utility lines in your neighborhood. For power failures, keep these supplies on hand:
- Non-perishable food that you won’t have to cook
- Battery-powered lights
- A power bank for charging your phone
When you’re fully prepped, you’ll handle any emergency better and feel more confident.
What To Avoid During A Tornado
Everybody thinks it will never happen to them. You can avoid injury or worse during severe weather by playing it smart. Take cover immediately and don’t
- Get on an elevator during heavy winds
- Watch out the window
- Venture outdoors
- Take cover under shelves, heavy well decor, or tall furniture pieces like bookcases
Make City Flats at Renwick Your Home In All Types Of Weather!
We can’t prevent a storm, but we can provide an exceptional apartment lifestyle at City Flats at Renwick! You’ll feel right at home in one of our roomy apartments surrounded by life-enhancing amenities in a well-maintained community. Call 812-578-7432 or book a tour to explore why we’re a sought-after place to reside in Bloomington.