Surviving Cedar Rapids Storms: Apartment and Dorm Dwellers’ Guide to Emergency Preparedness

It's that time of year. When living in Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota you get some crazy storms. Seems like they’re all year round nowadays but spring and summer can bring the brunt of the crazy.  

When in Rome or Cedar Rapids

When I lived here years ago it was above the bus station in downtown Cedar Rapids. One evening the tornado sirens went off and the sky was a shade of green I had not seen before. To that point, I had never experienced a tornado. A strong or severe thunderstorm, sure, but not a tornado. I would have to move to Illinois for my run-in with the tornado. 

Trouble was brewing, that night, in Cedar Rapids, and I did what anyone would have done that was not sane. I went to bed. Living in an apartment, I wasn't aware of what to do in an emergency. I was hoping to avoid them all together but Iowa was trying to slip a few in there.  

Keep an eye on it

There are lots of ways to keep up on the latest storms.  Heck, you don't even have to go far to get in now.  Grab the KCRG weather app, our weather partner, and if not that one there are others, I suppose.  If you're not a fan of apps. You can always look to the heavens.  The sky is always a good place to look for incoming storms and storks delivering the day's babies.  If you're looking skyward, here's what you should be looking for.

• Quickly Moving Clouds
• Sporadic weather changes
• High wind
• Continuous Rumbling

What to do 

If you check with your leasing manager, they should have protocols for emergencies including storms. If you're in a house with no basement, a dorm or an apartment, according to the NOAA.  Avoid windows, go to the lowest floor, a small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows.  Crouch as low as possible to the floor and cover your head with your hands.  Bathtubs are okay if they are metal. Plastic and fiberglass are not suggested because they are easily penetrated with projectiles.  Even in an interior room, you could cover yourself with thick padding like a mattress or blankets.  A helmet can also provide protection, from falling debris, if you have one.  

Some other items recommended to have on hand

• Cell Phone
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Cash
• Water

Please be safe!