What should residents of high-rise buildings in Chicago do in a tornado warning?

Tornadoes and severe storms sent scores of Chicagoans scrambling to basements Sunday and Monday, but what should residents do if they live in high-rise buildings?

Meteorologists and public officials typically advise people to make sure they have a shelter plan in place before severe weather moves in. Chicagoans who live in one of the city’s many high-rises should seek shelter in the lowest available location, experts said.

Here’s what high-rise residents should know to prepare for future tornadoes in the Chicago area.

Where should I go if a tornado hits?

Zachary Yack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Chicago, said apartment-dwellers should check with their landlord or their building management ahead of potential severe weather to learn about shelter options.

“Every building will have its own safety areas that they recommend people to get to,” Yack said. “It can be a basement or a certified shelter within the building itself.”

In the event of a tornado warning, high-rise residents should shelter in the lowest floor available.

“The best course of action is to try to get to the lowest floor that you can,” Yack said.

What if that isn’t an option?

Yack emphasized that high-rise residents should try to get to the lowest shelter space. But if getting to a lower floor isn’t an option, getting to the “most interior part of the building” is the next best bet, he said.

Shelter locations should be away from windows or exterior walls, he said. That could mean an interior bathroom, closet or hallway is the safest option available.

When was the last time Chicago saw tornadoes?

Before Monday’s severe weather, Yack said the last time the city saw tornado activity was in July 2023, when a pair of weak tornadoes occurred near O’Hare International Airport.

The last time that downtown Chicago saw a tornado was in 1961, he said, though others have occurred in residential areas around the city since then.

While most tornadoes occur in rural areas, Yack cautioned that denser urban areas are not less prone to tornadoes from a scientific standpoint.

“That does not mean that one can’t happen and that does not mean that one won’t happen,” he said.