Best place in basement to ride out TORNADO warning? (St. Louis: fit in, motorhome)

[babyfaceminerals]

How do I find out the best place in the basement to ride out tornado warning?

We have a large storage room and small laundry room down there.
The SR has lots of boxes, work bench, funice and water heater.
Plenty of room for us and pets but I heard to stay away from the water heater and lot of boxes that could fall or hit you.

The LR is just off and under the stairs but I've seen some pics where a tornado hit the basement and took the stairs.

I'm just trying to be prepared but also thinking maybe it's just up to us to just pick one and the rest is up to the Lord

[8 SNAKE]

From your description, I would suggest the LR. However, I don't think it makes a huge difference between the two areas of the basement (assuming there are no windows if it's a daylight basement).

[babyfaceminerals]

Originally Posted by 8 SNAKE

From your description, I would suggest the LR. However, I don't think it makes a huge difference between the two areas of the basement (assuming there are no windows if it's a daylight basement).

Thanks 8snake, There are no windows in those two roooms. Those rooms are the most far back from the walk out part of the basment and they are on
the west side of the house. SR is South being farther back and having the cement walls (1 full and 2 partial cement) and LR is the next room North if it leading under stairs.

Another reason I was asking, is I was thinking of putting the cat box back under the stairs in the LR. Don't know if we all want to be stuck in such a small room with a catbox, lol!

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by babyfaceminerals

I was thinking of putting the cat box back under the stairs in the LR. Don't know if we all want to be stuck in such a small room with a catbox, lol!

I've lived in SW MO for 14 years and would consider the danger from a "live" catbox much more serious than the kinda tornados we usually face...

Seriously, tho.

The furthest part back of your "walkout" basement would be the safest place in the UNLIKELY event of a major tornado event. Put a guest bed back there and put the catbox in another room...

You'll see. The hype is worse than the real thing.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

You'll see. The hype is worse than the real thing.

I agree, but I'm also living proof that it does happen. I was in the basement of my house when it was leveled by a tornado years ago. It was pretty strange to come up the basement stairs and see daylight where a house used to stand.

[babyfaceminerals]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

I've lived in SW MO for 14 years and would consider the danger from a "live" catbox much more serious than the kinda tornados we usually face...

Seriously, tho.

The furthest part back of your "walkout" basement would be the safest place in the UNLIKELY event of a major tornado event. Put a guest bed back there and put the catbox in another room...

You'll see. The hype is worse than the real thing.

Thanks Lake Junkie,
I was hoping the SR would be the best bet.
I have a KING size "Sleep Number Bed" that wouldn't fit in the master bedroom, I could probably make it fit down there but I don't think hubby would want to waste room on a king size. We should probably sell it and put a double queen air bed down there.

Blessings

[babyfaceminerals]

Originally Posted by 8 SNAKE

I agree, but I'm also living proof that it does happen. I was in the basement of my house when it was leveled by a tornado years ago. It was pretty strange to come up the basement stairs and see daylight where a house used to stand.

Wow, glad you made it through 8snake!

Be careful tho, they say lightning never stikes twice in the same place, some say the same for tornados but my hubby got hit with lightning twice when he was a kid (of coarse he wasn't standing in the same spot)

Blessings

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by babyfaceminerals

Wow, glad you made it through 8snake!

Be careful tho, they say lightning never stikes twice in the same place, some say the same for tornados but my hubby got hit with lightning twice when he was a kid (of coarse he wasn't standing in the same spot)

Blessings

I hope you're right, because my parents still live in the same spot. New house, but same location. I was only six at the time, but I do remember the events quite clearly.

[Robhu]

The weather experts where I live advise people to try to get under something sturdy in the basement. Like the stairwell or a strong workbench. Try to cover your head with heavy blankets, coats, etc. Even a laundry basket turned upside down over your head. Anything to lessen the chance of a fatal head injury from swirling or falling debris. They also say to stay away from the chimney base in the basement. Once the upper part of the chimney is damaged loose bricks or blocks can fall all the way down into the basement. I guess if you are in a basement you are not likely to get carried away. They say the biggest danger and most serious injuries are to a persons head. I heard one guy say, "Forget about comfort. You're looking for survival."

[mrschilicook]

We lived west of St. Louis several years ago (Eureka) and a small tornado hit the area. We had been told to go to the South West corner of the basement if possible, or as far away from any windows/doors as we could get.

Of course, it's unlikely that you will ever have to do anything. My dad has lived south of here 30 years and hasn't had one even come close.

One hit Nixa several years back when we were out here, but haven't heard of one ever hitting this area (Branson/Ozark) in recent years.

But when we decided to live out here, we decided not too worry too much about them. Our home doesn't have a basement so in case of a serious warning we'll be running to the basement under the motorhome (does that EVEN sound safe?)