Bathtubs Provide Shelter During Tornadoes
Laura Cobb, 11, cleans debris from a bathtub while helping with clean-up at her destroyed home in Joplin, Mo., Monday, May 30, 2011. Four members of her family escaped injury by seeking refuge in the tub when an EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city May 22. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
"With the roof gone, the man felt the tornado pulling..."
Tornado victims credit their bathtubs with saving their lives.
On May 25, CNN reported a Joplin, Mo., police officer rode out the tornado in his bathtub. With the roof gone, the man felt the tornado pulling him from the tub and grabbed the faucet. The man was unharmed.
A Joplin woman and her son also sought shelter in their bathtub, according to NECN.com. After the tornado, they were covered with debris. She was able to reach her cellphone in her back pocket and text people for help.
Friends and relatives who arrived on the scene saw light from her blinking cell phone and were able to remove the debris and dig her and her son out.
NBCactionnews.com reported that Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Javier Arenas sought shelter in his tub during a tornado in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on April 27. There was noise, but his home was not damaged.
Seeking shelter in a bathtub can help save your life during a tornado. The bathroom has strong framing and the pipes in the walls could help hold them together, according to Tornadoproject.com. The bathtub and commode are directly anchored to the ground. They are often the only things left intact after a tornado passes.
When in a bathtub, cover yourself with a couch cushion. This will help protect you from debris.
While a bathroom can provide protection during a tornado, the basement is still the best place to go if you have one.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
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| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 107° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 28° | Daniel, WY |
| Precip | 2.39" | Alexandria, MN |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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