What to Do in Case of Tornado

Is there a public storm shelter in White Lake? This is something I've been curious about for a long time, living in a mobile home park with no shelter. I'm never quite sure what to do, or where to go when there are tornado warnings.

— Susan Paules

Chief Edward Harris: Ms. Paules, thank you for the question. There are no public shelters in White Lake that I am aware of. Although your community may not have a shelter per se, I believe most mobile home communities encourage their residents to go to the community center for shelter in the event of a storm. I would suggest you speak to the management in that regard.

The following are tips from the American Red Cross:

• The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
• If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative. Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds. Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home.
• If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home immediately.
• Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately, using your seat belt if driving.
• Do not wait until you see the tornado.
• If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter: Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort: Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible. If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances.

If you have a question you'd like Chief Edward Harris to answer here, email AsktheChiefWhiteLake@gmail.com.