Storm Safety Tips for Apartment Dwellers 🌪️
Safest Locations within an Apartment to Seek Refuge during a Storm
Living high up can have its perks, but when it comes to severe weather, it ain't all peaches and cream. In an apartment building, finding a safe spot during a storm can sometimes feel like a game of hide-and-seek. Here's the lowdown on keeping your head (and the rest of you) safe when Mother Nature decides to throw a tantrum.
D buddy? Meet Your Ground-Floor Neighbor! 👨🤝🧔
Knock, knock! Who's there? A potential superhero! Getting cozy with a ground-floor neighbor could save your hide in times of trouble. Ya know, like when a tornado decides to toss your apartment like a salad.
"If you're living on a higher floor, it's smart to get to know your first-floor neighbor in case of an emergency," says Charlie Woodrum, the preparedness and resilience lead for the National Weather Service (NWS). "Tornadoes don't care about friendships, but they can rip off roofs and cause some serious damage to upper floors."
After the storm subsides, return the favor by bringing a sweet treat Their way. You know, to remind them why you're friends. 🍰
Designated Storm Shelter 🚧
Imagine a cozy bunker nestled in the heart of your apartment building. No, we're not talking about the laundry room—we're talking about a designated storm shelter. Could your building finally have the secret weapon it needs to beat Mother Nature's wrath?
"Talk to your building manager and find out," Woodrum advises. "These shelters are your best bet, whether they're underground or located on the ground floor."
If your building doesn't have one, it's time to talk to your building manager and propose creating a storm shelter together. It's a community investment that could draw more tenants seeking safety.
Parking Garages 🚗
Here's a stormy secret: covered parking garages can provide some shelter during a storm. Just make sure to hang out on the lower floors, and remember, your car isn't the best shelter. "A car can be tossed around like a toy during a tornado," Woodrum warns.
Under the Stairwell 🏝️
Stairwells can prove to be more than just a way to get from floor to floor in your apartment building. Many stairwells are built to withstand storms and can serve as a shelter if it comes down to it. Just keep in mind that not all stairwells are created equal, so, if possible, choose one located away from windows and exterior walls.
Interior Room 🛋️
Okay, let's say you're stuck on an upper floor and there's no designated storm shelter or pal down below who could give you a hidey-hole. In that case, your safest bet is to huddle up in an interior room sans any windows, like a closet or bathroom.
"If you can't leave an upstairs apartment during a storm, take shelter in an interior room without windows," Woodrum suggests. "And remember to protect your noggin by wearing a helmet!"
And since we're on the subject, here are some steps to prepare your home and yard for heavy rain. 🌧️
Home improvement ideas for severe weather preparedness could include knowing your ground-floor neighbor for emergency access, proposing a designated storm shelter to your building manager, seeking shelter in covered parking garages, taking refuge in a secure stairwell, and huddling in an interior room without windows. Expert advice for this comes from Charlie Woodrum, the preparedness and resilience lead for the National Weather Service. Additionally, environmental-science and climate-change considerations suggest incorporating science-backed strategies to safeguard homes against heavy rain, such as proper drainage systems and resilient landscaping. Bhg (Better Homes and Gardens) offers remodeling advice planning for such improvements.
