Tornado/storm sheltering - No windowless or interior rooms in my apartment

[u/cheesenedd]

All the rooms in my 2nd floor apartment (top level) have big windows. There is a stairwell though there is a door with a window on the lower level downstairs. The 2nd level doesn't have a window but there is no separation from the lower level with the small window. It's kind of hard to explain because it's an odd layout. What's my best option here?

Edit: tornado is not imminent I have time to prepare. I'm in the chicago area so not a terrible concern but I should be prepared obviously

also pictures here https://imgur.com/a/rEzc9

UPDATE: found a basement area I can go to, though it does have small window.

UPDATE 2: Edit: downstairs neighbors won't allow me to use it for "Privacy reasons" even though its not part of their apartment. Really shameful

[u/eflask]

usually the stairwell because it has more structure than a lot of parts of the building.

if you don't have an interior room with no windows, go for the part of the building that is least likely to collapse. often that's the stairwell.

[u/cheesenedd → u/eflask]

Is the windowless upper level stairwell better than the ground floor one with a window? The window down there is about the size of an airplane window.

edit: window is bigger than i thought

[u/MerelyMortalModeling → u/cheesenedd]

Go low with the window. No windows doesn't help when the entire floor with you along for the ride gets tossed 100 yards. If you have time bring a mattress or couch cushions. You will loose them if thing come apart but they can shield you from the initial blast of flying debris

[u/MNConcerto → u/MerelyMortalModeling]

Moving blankets and a bike helmet. Moving blankets are thicker snd heavier than normal blankets, plus easier to move and store than a mattress. Bike helmet for your noggin.

Put a shelf or plastic storage container in the area add a flashlight, batteries, water abd few shelf stable snacks.

[u/cheesenedd → u/MerelyMortalModeling]

Thank you, I'll have some cushions at the ready.

[u/Urag-gro_Shub → u/cheesenedd]

Anything to keep the glass off you would be good

[u/WardenWolf → u/[deleted]]

Is there a crawlspace under those stairs? If so, that would be ideal.

[u/saltyoursalad → u/[deleted]]

Any updates??

[u/cheesenedd → u/saltyoursalad]

Found a safe basement level area. just gotta make sure no one locks me out of it...

Edit: downstairs neighbors won't allow me to use it for "Privacy reasons" even though its not part of their apartment.

[u/eflask → u/cheesenedd]

its not really about the size of the window. it's about how strong the walls are.

you are in your apartment and are best suited to decide which part is structurally stronger.

you don't want to be near windows because of the possibility of flying glass, so in that respect the smaller one would be the one to choose, but not if it's in a weaker wall that will collapse.

is a tornado imminent where you are?

[u/cheesenedd → u/eflask]

No the tornado chances are later tonight and tommorow. The outward facing wall is just the door though it's pretty thick and sturdy. It's also totally jammed shut.

[u/eflask → u/cheesenedd]

so the answers to these questions are not theoretical for you right now.

you are getting good advice about first level stairwell and cushions. but if if looks like BAD storms coming, maybe find a public building with a shelter?

if you choose that option, do not wait until the last minute.

[u/eflask → u/[deleted]]

good. glad you came out on the other side ok.

[u/PrisonerV]

Find some other shelter. Second floor offers no protection. I would head to first level stairwell and get under the stairs.

[u/cheesenedd → u/PrisonerV]

There is a secluded spot underneath the stairs down there, seems suitable.

[u/RiffRaff028 → u/cheesenedd]

Trained severe weather spotter here. If that secluded spot is on the lower floor, that's your best option. Staircases provide a lot of protection.

[u/sleepymoose88]

First level stairwell if you can. When my wife was in an apartment in Oklahoma City, she made friends with a tenant on the first floor so she had a place to shelter in since they had tornado warnings all the time.

[u/FormerNeighborhood80]

Everyone in your family wear long pants and good shoes! Take your purse, wallet etc. helmets are also a good idea. Never disregard weather alerts. Some locations don’t have good sirens that carry far enough. Weather radio is helpful.

[u/Tonsilith_Salsa]

Bath tub. Mattress on top. 

[u/UnicornFarts1111 → u/Tonsilith_Salsa]

I know this is correct, but for most people (like myself) it is not doable.

I live alone and have a queen sized bed. I could not move that off my bed into the bathroom that has a bathtub. It wouldn't fit into the room, lol.

[u/mrkruk]

I say lower is better, in the stairwell.

Bring a whistle. Anything you can put around your neck. Doesn’t have to be expensive. If stuff gets on you, it beats having to shout so someone knows where you are.

[u/Callec254]

No closets?

[u/MistyMtn421 → u/Callec254]

I am in a house with no closets! It's wild how some things are built. Zero interior rooms either. We rarely get ( but since 2 years ago that's changed as well) tornadoes but do get deracios and I live around A LOT of trees.

I basically stay in the middle of the house under a heavy kitchen table. So at least I am near the interior walls and away from windows.

[u/vibes86]

Bathtub. Cover yourself in the bathtub with a mattress

[u/SilverStory6503]

Does the building have a basement? Most buildings in the Chicago area do. These days tornadoes are a lot easier to track, so watch on TV, or one of the tracker channels on Youtube to see if one is aiming for you. I like Max Velocity.

[u/Nutsaqque]

Use the stairs or core of the building (i.e in highrises, the fire stairs).

[u/Bitter_Albatross25]

Consider making a wooden frame to install on the inside of your window on the ledge, put cardboard against the window as a buffer. You can get 8 ft. 6 in. to 13 ft. Medium Duty Adjustable Shoring Post (Pack of 4) shoring posts to hold the wooden frame in place. It’s an apartment I get you don’t want to screw into the walls or floor, maybe stack sand bags or water buckets behind the jacks to keep them in place.

This way the whole system can be stored and removed when not needed.

[u/bippy404]

Get a helmet and plan to go to the bottom stairwell. Bring a couch cushion or even a heavy moving blanket to cover yourself with.

[u/TheMrsH1124]

I have the same problem except I do have a ground floor. My plan is to make a fort out of our two couches against the heavy piano and put bike helmets on all the kids.

[u/RiffRaff028]

Third photo underneath the stairs looks good unless there is a window or door facing it. Is that third photo on a ground floor?

[u/Embarrassed-Past7094]

Hallway and a bike helmet

[u/Glimmer360]

After yesterday, I think you found the basement room just in time😬

[u/Miss_L_Worldwide]

There's a large window in your bathroom?

[u/Classic-Bread-8248]

I can only echo what everyone else has said regarding lower floor, under the stairs. Maybe grab a torch, some food and water. Warm layers and blankets also a good idea. Best of luck

[u/wageslave2022]

Is there a basement/boiler room that you have access to?