It’s a myth that tornadoes “suck up” cows, small dogs, and houses into their funnel. So don’t worry about becoming an accessory to the storm if a twister’s heading your way. What you should worry about is getting struck by Bessie, Toto, or even a Toyota, because with winds in excess of 250 miles per hour, a tornado can lift and toss large objects hundreds of feet from its path. It can also leave a path of destruction 1 mile wide and 50 miles long, so it’s best to take cover when a tornado blows into town. Here’s how you can keep from twisting in the wind.

Stay tuned. “Doppler weather forecasters can locate a tornado before it touches down,” says Johnson. Since tornadoes occur as the result of a nasty thunderstorm, you should check out the radio or television news if there’s a bad boomer in your area. You also can buy a weather radio with a warning alarm that will turn on automatically and warn you when a tornado watch or warning has been issued. They are available at electronics stores.

Go when it’s green. If you’re out and about, be warned when the sky turns green, there’s large hail, you see a wall of clouds, or you hear a loud roar like a freight train. These are signs that a tornado may be on the way – unless, of course, you live next to the railroad tracks.

Get down. “Get to the basement if you can,” says Johnson. “If you can’t, go to a center hallway, a bathroom, or a closet on the lowest floor. You want to find a strong, low location.”

Get out of the car. If you’re in your car or a mobile home during a tornado, get out and find shelter. If you can’t get into the basement of a nearby building, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.

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