For some, the thought of a tornado near their home can be a nightmare. After all, a tornado’s fast winds and high pressures are said to destroy everything in its path. But is this really a risk? Can a tornado completely destroy a house or any kind of building?

Tornados are extremely powerful, and although their path of destruction is narrow, they can cause severe damage to people and properties. If your home is in the path of a tornado, the strong winds can be enough to destroy it down to the foundation completely.

Imagining a tornado leveling your home is no source of comfort, but it is important to know the risks so you can prepare adequately. This article will discuss how a tornado can impact your home, what to do when it hits, and the measures you can take to protect your home.

Can A Tornado Destroy My Home?

Whenever a tornado hits your area, it is hard to predict the outcome of this situation – after all, the tornado could pass through the region without causing much damage. On the other hand, tornados can also destroy an entire city or town. 

It is possible for one house or two to get through without any damage, while at the same time, the house next to it could be gone. 

So how exactly does a tornado cause so much damage? Despite the heavy construction that goes into building a home, it is no match for the power of the tornado. 

Typically this is because of two major factors that can impact the tornado’s ability to cause damage, debris and high winds. The first, debris, is the items that fly around in the tornado. Depending on the tornado’s power, it can be anything as light as branches and as strong as furniture. 

The problem is that debris can fly around and wreak havoc because of the speed at which it flies around. The wind in question is the main culprit behind most of the damage. 

The wind moves quickly inside structures, which causes the pressure to rise and can upend entire homes. The structures can have their roofs torn apart, collapsed, or even flown off, which leaves the home vulnerable.

There is no denying that the impact of a tornado is absolutely devastating. Even if a home is not in the direct pathway of the tornado, it can still incur damage from the wind and storm that accompanies such a natural disaster. 

Therefore, safety and precaution will take you a long way when a tornado is around the corner.

What To Do When A Tornado Hits

When a tornado is possible in your area, you will likely get a warning known as a tornado watch. On the other hand, a tornado warning means a tornado has been identified, and it is time to take cover immediately. 

If you are at home, the most important thing to do is ensure you are safe. As soon as you know of a tornado hitting, you should immediately find a safe place to stay. At home, this is usually within the lowest level of the house, such as the basement. 

If you do not have a basement, stay in one of the interior rooms to stay safe. When you are in this room, take cover under a solid structure, and cover your head with a soft cloth such as a jacket.

This move will help prevent any flying debris, such as glass, from causing injuries to the head. If you are not at home, find a stable structure to find cover under, and stay as far away from trees and glass as possible. 

Do not leave your place of cover until the tornado is completely gone. In the case of a tornado, wait until the warning period has passed and the storm is completely clear.

How To Protect Your Home From A Tornado

If you live in an area where tornado watches are normal, it is a worthwhile investment to protect your home from damage. There are a few ways you can do this, and we will explore each of these methods in the rest of this section. Here are the ways to prevent damage from a tornado:

Keep Your Doors Secure

One of the best ways you can make your home resistant (at least to some degree) to wind is by ensuring the doors are secure. 

You can achieve this using a deadbolt locking system that is boosted with hinges and screws that secure your door to the wall it is attached to. The frame is one of the door system’s weakest points, so ensure it stays in place even with winds.

Use Impact-Resistant Windows

One of the most dangerous aspects of a tornado is shattered glass flying around as debris, damaging your home and placing you and your loved ones at risk of severe injuries. Impact-resistant glass does not shatter easily and gives you a better chance of getting through the tornado without injury.

Build A Stronger Roof Structure

As mentioned above, your roof is at risk the most when it comes to a tornado. It is important to build the structure of your roof with strength in mind if you are prone to tornadoes in your area. Changes such as roof sheathing, as well as using hurricane clips in the roof, can help prevent major damage from a tornado passing by.

Secure Your Valuables

If you have any documents or valuable items at home you cannot lose in a tornado, you need to make sure they are kept secure. You can use something like a safe installed in the basement of your home to keep such items safe, even during a natural disaster.

Final Thoughts

A tornado is an unpredictable and devastating natural disaster, but if you take the proper precautions, you can minimize the damage to your home and keep yourself safe. 

Make sure your doors are secure, use impact-resistant windows, strengthen your roof structure, and secure any valuable items before a tornado hits. We hope this article was helpful and that you and your loved ones stay safe from any such natural disaster!