Though tornadoes happen in all 50 states, an area known as “Tornado Alley” typically experiences the most each year. This area covers much of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. This high concentration of twisters is due to the cold air dropping from Canada, and colliding with the warm tropical air of Mexico and dry air from the Southwest. Here’s what you can do if you get caught out in the open during a twister.

Caught Out In The Open Getting caught out in the open during a tornado may not be the death sentence that it seems. If you get caught in the open outdoors, and there is no sturdy shelter within running distance, lie down flat and face-down in low area. Protect the back of your head with your arms, and any extra clothing you may have. Don’t try to hold onto trees, or stay near trees or other objects. They may be blown onto you, or you may be scooped up and hurled at the objects during the tornado.

If A Car Is Your Only Shelter This is a dicey one. Sheltering in vehicles is a risky gambit in a tornado. Vehicles can be tumbled or thrown by a strong twister. It really boils down to a choice of similar perils. If you see a tornado while you’re driving in a car, and it’s far away and you have open road in front of you, you may be able to out distance the disturbance by driving at right angles to the tornados path (if you can tell what that is). Of course, the smarter choice is to seek shelter in a durable building or in an underground spot, if possible.

If you're caught in a vehicle and cannot drive, it’s usually the best option is usually to abandon that vehicle. Statistically speaking, you’re safer when lying in a ditch than you are when you’re sitting in the car. If you do decide to stay in the car, or you don’t have time to run to a ditch, keep your seat belt fastened, cover your head with your hands, and use a jacket, coat or some other covering to protect you from flying debris. The vehicle will be safer on a lower road level than a higher one or on a bridge. That said, you should still avoid sheltering under bridges and overpasses. The wind is often amplified and turbulent in these areas, creating deadly trap.

These tips, and many more survival skills, are available in MacWelch’s books:
Prepare For Anything
Hunting and Gathering Survival Manual
How To Survive Anything

And if that’s not enough, you can:
Follow Tim on Twitter @timmacwelch
Take one of his survival classes at www.advancedsurvivaltraining.com
and check out more of MacWelch’s outdoor skills and survival articles at Outdoor Life Magazine’s survival site, The Survivalist