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Storm Ready: Where to Hide When Tornadoes Hit SE Michigan
Metro Detroit, Southern Michigan, USAWednesday, April 8, 2026
# **Surviving Southern Michigan’s Storms: A Guide to Tornado Safety**
Southern Michigan has faced relentless wild weather—**tornado warnings** blaring from phones, sirens screaming through neighborhoods, and seconds ticking away as families scramble for shelter. When alerts scream **"danger now,"** every moment matters.
## **Plan Ahead: The Key to Survival**
- **Know your shelter spots** before storms strike. Discuss safe zones with your family—basements, interior rooms, or sturdy buildings.
- **Avoid windows**—flying debris causes most injuries. If you’re at home, **head to the basement immediately**.
- **No basement?** Choose an **interior room on the lowest floor**, away from glass. **Crouch under a sturdy table**—heavy furniture can collapse.
### **Mobile Homes & Vehicles: Deadly Traps**
- **Mobile homes become death traps in high winds.** If you live in one, **leave before the storm hits**.
- **Cars aren’t safe either.** If a tornado strikes while driving, **abandon your vehicle** and lie flat in a ditch, protecting your head.
Big Buildings: Stay Low, Stay Covered
- Malls, gyms, and offices can collapse under tornado pressure. Move away from windows, get to the lowest level, and crouch near heavy shelving or under seats.
- No time to reach shelter? Shield your head with your arms or any object you can grab.
Public Spaces & Schools: Know the Plan
- Schools, hospitals, and offices should have emergency protocols. Stay away from windows, go to the innermost room on the lowest floor, and avoid elevators.
- Caught outside with no shelter? Lie flat in the nearest ditch and protect your head.
#SafePlaceSelfie: Normalizing Safety
The #SafePlaceSelfie campaign urges families to share their shelter spots. Take a photo of your basement corner, hallway nook, or closet and post it. When the next alert sounds, you’ll be ready—and you might inspire others to prepare too.
Stay safe. Plan now.
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