A view of the April 26, 2024 tornado that touched down on the far northeastern corner of Lincoln. This view is looking east from 3800 Cornhusker. (File photo by Will Wilson/KFOR News)LINCOLN–(KFOR Mar. 25)–Severe weather awareness week in Nebraska culminated Wednesday with the statewide tornado drill. Sirens, tone alerts and other broadcast media went through their procedures in alerting you about severe weather. Jim Davidsaver is Lancaster County’s Emergency Management director and tells KFOR News the best place for you to go during a tornado warning is the lowest level possible, such as a basement, in an interior space away from windows. “The other thing to be mindful of is, even if you are able to go down to the basement, you probably don’t want to sit down right next to the water heater or where the electrical panel comes into the house.  If there is a lightning strike, if there is a catastrophic hit, have you put yourself in a vulnerable position?” Davidsaver says if you were unable to participate in the drill, you can do your own at home or work and later fill out a form that’s on the Lancaster County Emergency Management’s webpage. “All (participation forms) are recorded,” Davidsaver adds.  “I always enjoy sharing the results of that, so we as a community have an idea of just how many people are paying attention, how many of them have given some thought and consideration of their safety during a severe weather event.” Another thing to consider is a three-day safety kit, such has food, water, medications and other survival items.  Wear shoes when you take cover, in case there is broken glass, loose nails, other objects that could harm your feet. Here are some tornado safety tips that are offered from the National Weather Service. 1. Know where to take shelter. Your family could be anywhere when a tornado strikes–at home, at work, at school, or in the car. Discuss with your family where the best tornado shelters are and how family members can protect themselves from flying and falling debris. The key to surviving a tornado and reducing the risk of injury lies in planning, preparing, and practicing what you and your family will do if a tornado strikes. Flying debris causes most deaths and injuries during a tornado. Although there is no completely safe place during a tornado, some locations are much safer than others. 2. If you’re at home, pick a place in the home where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. One basic rule is AVOID WINDOWS. An exploding window can injure or kill. The safest place in the home is the interior part of a basement. If there is no basement, go to an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet. For added protection, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench. If possible, cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag, or mattress, and protect your head with anything available–even your hands. Avoid taking shelter where there are heavy objects, such as pianos or refrigerators, on the area of floor that is directly above you. They could fall though the floor if the tornado strikes your house. 3. DO NOT STAY IN A MOBILE HOME MANUFACTURED PRIOR to 1976 DURING A TORNADO. Mobile homes built before 1976 are particularly vulnerable to high winds. Plan ahead. If you live in a mobile home older than 1976, go to a nearby building, preferably one with a basement. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert and shield your head with your hands. Tornado Warning Safety Messages 4. The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds. DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR. If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle and get out. Do not get under your vehicle. Follow the directions for seeking shelter outdoors, which are: · Avoid areas with many trees. · Avoid vehicles. · Lie down flat in a gully, ditch, or low spot on the ground. · Protect your head with an object or with your arms. 5. If you’re in a long-span building, such as a shopping mall, theater, or gymnasium, is especially dangerous because the roof structure is usually supported solely by the outside walls. Most such buildings hit by tornados cannot withstand the enormous pressure. They simply collapse. If you are in a long-span building during a tornado, stay away from windows. Get to the lowest level of the building–the basement if possible–and away from the windows. If there is no time to get to a tornado shelter or to a lower level, try to get under a door frame or get up against something that will support or deflect falling debris. For instance, in a department store, get up against heavy shelving or counters. In a theater, get under the seats. Remember to protect your head. 6. If you’re in office buildings, schools, hospitals, churches, and other public buildings, · Move away from windows and glass doorways. · Go to the innermost part of the building on the lowest possible floor. · Do not use elevators because the power may fail, leaving you trapped. · Protect your head and make yourself as small a target as possible by crouching down. ...read more read less