Back in the good old 1950’s people were taught to do this, especially school children: hide under a table, if a Russian nuke tipped missile was inbound and the sirens were giving a warning sound. About as much protection as any, I suppose.
I was born and raised in Tornado Alley. The prevailing advice was to dig a storm cellar, back of the house. A basement under the house was totally out, since the house debris would fill the basement, burying and crushing anyone down there. A kitchen table could be a shelter, but, back then, kitchen tables were constructed with 2×4′s and 4×4′s, and not the modern plastic tops on 1/2" aluminum, that are so prevalent, today.
A current thought is NOT to hide UNDER a table, but next to something sturdy, like a sofa or a refrigerator. The problem with hiding under a table is that if a lot of debris falls on it, it is likely to collapse and crush you. But if you are next to something solid, the debris is likely to form a pocket next to the solid object. This makes it more likely you’ll escape serious injury.
I hope never to have to test this out myself, but thought I’d pass this along.
Dani Rice over 6 years ago
If it comes through the roof, it’ll come through the table.
William Bednar Premium Member over 6 years ago
Back in the good old 1950’s people were taught to do this, especially school children: hide under a table, if a Russian nuke tipped missile was inbound and the sirens were giving a warning sound. About as much protection as any, I suppose.
yubi over 6 years ago
Good thing the table was able to expand to cover them.
aerilim over 6 years ago
There’s no tornado that can move that weight…
oldsmkysyvr over 6 years ago
After an F5 tornado blows through, they find Joy inside a Coca-Cola bottle, and strangely enough, Burl is left undisturbed under that table.
paranormal over 6 years ago
You’re supposed to get under a sturdy table during an earthquake, not a tornado.
posstockhoarder over 6 years ago
This one is tough. Tough to decide who the biggest idiot is!!!!
Daniel Jacobson over 6 years ago
I was born and raised in Tornado Alley. The prevailing advice was to dig a storm cellar, back of the house. A basement under the house was totally out, since the house debris would fill the basement, burying and crushing anyone down there. A kitchen table could be a shelter, but, back then, kitchen tables were constructed with 2×4′s and 4×4′s, and not the modern plastic tops on 1/2" aluminum, that are so prevalent, today.
ZBicyclist Premium Member over 6 years ago
A current thought is NOT to hide UNDER a table, but next to something sturdy, like a sofa or a refrigerator. The problem with hiding under a table is that if a lot of debris falls on it, it is likely to collapse and crush you. But if you are next to something solid, the debris is likely to form a pocket next to the solid object. This makes it more likely you’ll escape serious injury.
I hope never to have to test this out myself, but thought I’d pass this along.