Should You Open Your Windows During A Tornado Site

Where, exactly, did we get the idea that opening up a house to equalize pressure in a tornado would work? And is there some other ... HowStuffWorks Tornado Myths - Missouri StormAware “Opening the windows in your house before a tornado will reduce damage by balancing the pressure inside and outside the structure. Storm Aware (.gov) What to do During a Tornado - National Weather Service What to do During a Tornado. ... Tornadoes, Wind, Hail. ... Find out what you can do when a tornado strikes. Acting quickly is key... National Weather Service (.gov) Tornado Safety Measures - Mercer Police Department Inside a Building * Flying debris is the greatest danger in tornadoes. * Avoid windows. If you make any effort to open windows, th... Mercer Police Department Does opening your windows during severe weather really help ... Mar 10, 2026 —

For decades, a persistent piece of folk wisdom has clung to tornado safety lore: the idea that opening your windows before a tornado strikes will equalize air pressure between the inside and outside of your home, preventing the structure from exploding. This advice, often passed down through generations, seems logical on the surface. If a tornado is a vortex of extremely low pressure, then allowing that low pressure to enter the house should prevent a catastrophic pressure difference, much like opening a car window on a hot day to let air circulate. However, this seemingly intuitive advice is not only incorrect but dangerously misleading. The overwhelming consensus among meteorologists, engineers, and emergency management agencies, including the National Weather Service and FEMA, is clear: you should never open your windows during a tornado. Instead, you should immediately seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor, and leave your windows firmly closed. should you open your windows during a tornado

In the past, some people believed that opening windows during a tornado would help equalize the air pressure inside and outside your home, thereby reducing the likelihood of your roof being torn off or your windows shattering. The idea was that if the pressure inside and outside your home was the same, the force of the wind would be less likely to cause damage. Where, exactly, did we get the idea that

In addition to avoiding the temptation to open your windows during a tornado, here are some more safety tips to keep in mind: Storm Aware (