For those of us living in the Midwest, storm season is in full effect! As a native Iowan it is not uncommon to have the months of April and May wreak havoc on our beautiful Spring weather. As a writer who suffers from storm anxiety, I want to help others overcome their worries and feel prepared to take on the storm! The hilarious (and relatable) “basement bag” trend has been taking over social media. To add a little humor to the discomfort, the trend depicts what some pack with them to feel more comfortable while taking shelter during bad weather. From tornado’s, hail, and even severe thunderstorms, keep reading to find cleaver ways to stay safe in the coming weeks.
Tornado Safety Tips
According to the National Weather Service, there is no completely safe place to retreat to in case of a tornado (eek!). However, there are steps you can take to better ensure your safety from flying debris and high winds. We have summarized some of the most important tips and tricks below.
- Planning is important! Before severe weather strikes, know were you are going to take shelter. Have a plan in place for where you can take shelter in your home, work, and car.
- Avoid windows. In any building, if possible, it is essential to avoid any area with windows. During high winds, windows may explode causing injury. The safest place is in a basement or interior room.
- Evacuate mobile homes. The National Weather Service emphasizes that any mobile home (especially those built before 1976) must be evacuated. It is recommended to take shelter in a nearby building, or lie flat in a ditch while covering your head.
- Don’t try and outrun a tornado. When in your vehicle, step outside and take shelter in an area without trees and other vehicles (these could potentially hit you!). Instead of driving away, find shelter in a low point on the ground and cover your head.
- Get under something.When in a long-span building such as a gymnasium or movie theater, stand under a door frame, or take shelter under a heavy counter. It is important to find something that will deflect heavy debris.
The National Weather Service creates a social media campaign that promotes taking shelter in severe weather. The initiative, called #SafePlaceSelfie, works to bring awareness to the importance of preparedness. Stay safe, and don’t be afraid to snap a selfie!
The “Basement Bag” Trend
This cute trend reveals what many would pack into a “basement bag” to help ease the anxiety of being in a storm shelter. As a child, I remember my Nintendo DS and candy being among the most important of items (Lol!). Although humorous, there are more serious storm provisions that some pack or store in their basements such as flashlights, cellphone, non-perishable food, water, and batteries.
A father took this trend very seriously for his daughter, who suffers from extreme storm anxiety. The content creator, who goes by Plant Daddy on TikTok, is a pro-landscaper and transforms their tornado storm shelter into a decorative oasis! If anyone gets an award for best dad of the year, it’s him. Take a look at how this family was able to combat discomfort during severe weather; I love it!
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