A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground, bringing extreme winds that can exceed 200 miles per hour. This immense force poses two primary dangers: the catastrophic failure of building structures and the transformation of everyday objects into deadly, wind-borne debris. The question of whether a bathtub is a safe shelter is common, often rooted in past advice, but it is considered a last-resort option. While the bathtub offers a small, localized barrier, it is not a substitute for a dedicated, reinforced shelter designed to withstand the storm.
The Structural Rationale for Bathtub Use
The suggestion to use a bathtub as a tornado shelter stems from structural advantages found in a typical bathroom. Bathtubs, particularly older models made of cast iron or porcelain-coated steel, offer a heavy, durable shell that resists impact from smaller flying debris. This heavy construction and anchoring to the floor provide a minimal degree of security.
The bathroom is often one of the smallest, most interior rooms in a house, surrounded by more walls than a larger room like a living room or kitchen. Plumbing pipes running through the walls and floor can act as additional anchorage, tying the room’s structure securely to the foundation. However, these factors only provide marginal protection against the complete structural collapse that occurs during a direct hit from a strong tornado.
Optimal Tornado Shelter Alternatives
The safest places to seek shelter follow a clear hierarchy, with the bathtub falling far down the list. The highest level of protection comes from a specially constructed residential safe room or a basement storm shelter. These structures are engineered to meet stringent standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide “near-absolute protection.”
FEMA-approved safe rooms are designed to withstand wind speeds up to 250 miles per hour, equivalent to an EF-5 tornado. They must pass debris impact testing, such as resisting a 15-pound wooden two-by-four traveling at 100 miles per hour. Underground shelters and basements offer superior protection, placing occupants below ground level, away from high winds and projectile debris. If a home does not have a basement or a safe room, the next best option is an interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or a hallway, away from exterior walls and windows.
Evaluating Bathtub Safety by Home Type
The protective value of a bathtub depends on the type of structure surrounding it. For a wood-frame house without a basement, an interior bathroom on the lowest floor is often the designated last-resort shelter. The bathtub’s position in an interior, windowless room offers a better chance of surviving wall and roof failure than an exterior room, due to the extra layers of wall between the occupant and the storm. Even in this scenario, the tub only offers protection from lateral debris, not from the collapse of the ceiling and roof.
In multi-story buildings, such as apartments or condominiums, the bathtub is only a viable last resort on the lowest floor. Being in a bathtub on an upper floor significantly increases the danger from structural collapse, as the weight of falling floors and debris from above can crush the room. The effective measure in these buildings is to follow the emergency plan and relocate to an approved, reinforced community shelter.
For residents in mobile or manufactured homes, a bathtub offers virtually no protection. Manufactured homes are not built with the same foundation anchoring or structural integrity as site-built homes, making them highly vulnerable to being lifted, overturned, or disintegrated by tornado-force winds. The only safe course of action is immediate evacuation to a substantial, permanent structure or a dedicated community shelter.
Immediate Actions If Using the Bathtub
If the bathtub is the only immediate option available during a tornado warning, specific actions must be taken to maximize protection. The first step is to crouch down low inside the tub, below the rim, using the tub’s sides as a shield against flying debris. It is imperative to cover yourself completely with a thick, protective layer.
Use a mattress, sleeping bag, or heavy blankets to shield your body from falling and flying objects. This padding helps absorb the impact of any material that penetrates the bathroom walls or falls from the ceiling. Protect your head and neck by holding your arms over the back of your head. Wearing a bicycle or sports helmet provides additional protection against blunt force trauma.