Tornadoes appreciate irony?

Topeka, KS (AHN) - Northeast Kansas was hit by several tornadoes from Wednesday night until Thursday, causing extensive damage in the area.

[snip]

The twister also smashed the Kansas State University campus, causing cars to turn turtle and smashing glass windows.

It destroyed the university's Wind Erosion Laboratory...

Joking aside, having never lived in an area of extreme weather, I would have no clue what to do. For those who want to know:

So what can you know about tornadoes which might save your life? Knowing something about tornadoes and using common sense can go a long way towards saving yourself. Here are six tips everyone should be aware of.

1 Hail is closely related to tornadoes! Large hail may precede a tornado, so the areas of a thunderstorm adjacent to areas of hail is a good candidate for a tornado to form. Seek appropriate shelter and remain in the shelter until well after the hail has stopped, about a half hour until the storm has moved away.

2 Opening a window in a house with the idea of reducing damage from tornadoes is a myth! Most building have sufficient ventilation to allow for the sudden drop in atmospheric pressure related to tornadoes. It is a myth that opening a window will allow inside air pressure to equalize with outside air pressure. Actually, opening the wrong window can increase damage.

3 Most deaths from tornadoes are caused by flying debris. Stay in the center of a building away from windows and exterior doors. Bathrooms and closets offer good protection if a basement is not available. Bathrooms have added support from pipes. Large rooms are more likely to have roof collapse.

4 Tornado wind speeds increases with height within the tornado. Storm cellars and well protected basements offer the best protection from tornadoes. In high rise buildings, occupants should try to reach the lowest floor and take shelter in small rooms or stairwells.

5 An approaching tornado may sound like a loud roar such as that from a freight train or airplane. At night or in heavy rains the only clue to a tornado may be the roar from its winds.

6 Although most tornadoes occur in the afternoon, they can occur at any time or the day or night.

The key to survival is awareness and planning. All members of the household should know where the safest areas of the house are. Make sure everyone knows that they may only have seconds of warning and that they must never hesitate or pause to grab toys or valuables.

In ways these suggestions sound very much like our California earthquake training: going for the strongest supported areas of the house, not trying to collect valuables, planning ahead. Sadly, we did not plan ahead for the tornado currently blowing through the Oval Office....