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Tornadoes: Nature's Most Violent Storm Tornadoes are nature's most violent storm and can strike quickly with little warning.They can occur any time of the day or night but often occur in the late afternoon or evening.In 2021,Minnesota recorded 64 tornadoes,including 22 on December 15 alone,which were the latest reported tornadoes on record. Whether you live in a house or apartment or find yourself at a store or in the office when severe weather strikes,follow these safety tips to prevent possible injury or death: • Ina sing e-family home-Avoid windows and get to the lowest floor in the house. Take cover under some kind of sturdy protection,or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag.If your home does not have a basement,get to a 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.A bath tub may offer a shell of partial protection. Cover yourself with a mat- tress or thick blanket for protection. • In an apartment or high-rise- If you live in an apartment that is on an upper floor, get to the lowest level of the building such as an underground parking garage or a neighbor's first floor apartment.Then move to the most interior area possible,away from windows.Get to a hallway or stairwell in the center of your building if possible. If that is not available then a closet,bathroom or interior hall without windows will suffice. • In an office,clinic or store-Follow instructions from facility managers.Go directly to an enclosed,windowless area in the center of the building-away from glass and on the lowest floor possible.Then,crouch down and cover your head.Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter. Stay off elevators in case of power loss and keep a flashlight on hand. • In a Mobile Home-If you live in a mobile home,know where your community torna- do shelter is and get there quickly. • In a School-If you are at school,follow what you have learned in your drills.Crouch low,head down and protect the back of your head with your arms.Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums. • In a Car or Truck-Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado.If the tornado is visible,far away and the traffic is light,you may be able to drive away from its path by moving at right angles to the tornado.Otherwise,park the car as quickly and safely as possible.Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building.If in the open country,run to low ground away from any cars and lie flat and face-down,protecting the back of your head with your hands.Avoid seeking shelter under bridges,which can accelerate the wind while offering little protection against flying debris. • In the Open Outdoors-If possible,seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not,lie flat and face-down on low ground,protecting the back of your head with your arms. Get as far away from trees and cars as you can;they may be blown onto you in a tornado. • In a Shopping Mall,Large Store or Stadium-Listen for instructions from building security.Watch for others.Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom,stor- age room or other small enclosed area,away from windows. • In a Church or Theater-If possible,move quickly but orderly to an interior bathroom or hallway,away from windows.Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms.If there is no time to do that,get under the seats or pews,protecting your head with your arms or hands.