There aren't many things in nature as pure a killer as a tornado. Destructive ... unpredictable ... incapable of listening to reason. All you can do, really, is get out of its way.
But there are smart ways to do that and not-so-smart ways. For instance, a lot of people think that when they see a funnel cloud heading their way, the smart thing to do is jump in the car and drive like a maniac. No, that's the not-so-smart thing.
BEWARE OF FLYING BUSES
For starters, a twister can easily lift a car off the road. It can do the same to a van or school bus. In fact, vehicles with big flat surfaces are particularly vulnerable. So even if you avoid having your own car blown away, you could get hit by a flying bus.
Not to mention tree branches or power lines or the occasional shopping cart. Bottom line: Stay away from your car. In fact, experts say you're better off getting out of your car and flattening yourself out in a ditch or any low-lying area that gives you some cover.
INTO THE CLOSET
If you're in a mobile home, go somewhere else. If you're in a house, head to your basement. If you don't have a basement or storm cellar, seek shelter in an inner hallway or even a closet. Above all, get away from the windows. If it's convenient, grab a mattress to use as a shield. Failing that, a blanket or heavy jacket can protect you from swirling debris and glass.
According to one myth, you can reduce damage by opening the windows, so you can equalize pressure inside and out. Uh ... no. All that does is increase your chance of getting hit by something. Stay away from the windows!
Finally, don't go out to gawk at the damage once you think the tornado has passed. Other twisters can develop from one storm; think how stupid you'd feel if you dodged one, only to find yourself face-to-face with another. Listen to a portable radio — a key possession in a tornado — and wait for the official all clear.
译文:
龙卷风来临的生死时速
龙卷风可算是少数真正杀手级的天然灾害，破坏力强…无法预测…没得商量，你唯一能做的就是避开它。
但除了一些明智的做法，也有些不明智的作法，你可千万别试。例如，很多人认为看到前方有漏斗状的云时，最聪明的做法就是立即跳上车，立即开走，这是非常不明智的。
小心天上掉下来的巴士
腾空卷起一辆车对龙卷风来说只是开胃小菜，敞篷车或巴士也都难不倒它，事实上，平面面积愈大的车愈容易成为攻击的目标，所以即使你的车没被卷走，也要小心别被天上掉下来的巴士砸中，更别提树枝或电线，甚至是购物手推车了。建议： 离开车子，专家建议你最好离开车子，找条水沟或低洼地方当作掩护趴下。
躲进衣柜
如果你是住在房车里，赶快离开，如果是在房子里，躲到地下室，没有地下室或地窖的话，躲到房子中央的走道或甚至衣柜里，总之，远离窗户就对了。可能的话，拿床垫做掩护，没办法的话，毛毯或厚外套也可以保护你不被天外飞的各种碎片或玻璃击中。
有一种没有根据的说法是，打开窗户可以平衡里面跟外面的压力，所以可以降低损害，呃…才怪，千万不要道听途说，这只会增加你被东西击中的机率，远离窗户才是保命王道！
最后要提醒你的是，在你以为风暴已经过去后，切勿走到外面去视察灾情，因为可能有另一个龙卷风形成，在你已为自己成功闪过一个之后，马上又跟另一个四目交接，想起来就很蠢吧。收听手提式收音机(对付龙卷风的必备武器)，等候正式的警报解除。