A J.C. Hart Apartment Community in Carmel, IN

Severe Weather Safety: How To Prepare For A Tornado In An Apartment In Carmel

October 07, 2025
Penrose on Mass exterior during a bright sunny day.

Living in the Midwest, you can expect dangerous weather each year. Odds are, your region will even have a tornado warning at certain times. While most people know how to find safety in a house when tornado sirens go off, the guidance for those in apartments is not as clear. If you don’t have a basement to go to, here’s how to prepare for a tornado in an apartment in Carmel.

Tornado Sirens? Where To Shelter In Your Apartment Building

A bathroom with a shower on the left and towel rack and abstract artwork on the right. Then facing an open walk in closet with shelving and hangers

When the tornado alarms blare outside your Carmel apartment, where should you take shelter? Few apartments have basements. You may even reside on a higher level.

While a small number of tornadoes are powerful enough to demolish a large apartment building, smaller tornadoes can still propel objects through glass, rip off roofs, or uproot trees. You must find shelter during tornado warnings or strong winds in one of these spots:

  • The sub-level of an underground parking garage
  • The ground floor of your building, and away from windows
  • A neighbor’s first-floor apartment
  • Interior halls or stairwells without windows
  • A windowless room or closet of your apartment
  • Below a solid table
  • Inside the bathtub with a heavy blanket for protection

When you find a place to shelter, put on a bike helmet or cover your head with an oversized pillow for added protection.

Be Prepared For Severe Weather

A contemporary apartment kitchen, dining room, and entryway

The best way to prepare for a tornado in your apartment in Carmel is to keep up with weather alerts and plan ahead. Your plan ought to incorporate emergency supplies if you become trapped in your home or need to evacuate. Choose a specific spot to keep your disaster kit and pack these supplies:

  • Battery-powered radio
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries
  • Backup set of house and car keys
  • Smartphone charger
  • Cash
  • Emergency medical kit
  • Photocopy of your driver’s license
  • Shelf-stable snacks
  • Bottles of water
  • Crucial medications
  • Pet supplies

Check these items twice a year to make sure they still operate, and replenish the water and food items. When you hear a tornado warning, take appropriate clothing and shoes with you when sheltering.

Strong winds can easily damage electrical lines in your neighborhood. For power outages, keep these essentials on hand:

  • Shelf-stable food that you won’t have to cook
  • Battery-powered lights
  • A power bank for powering your cell phone

When you’re ready, you’ll weather any storm better and feel more peace of mind.

What Not To Do During A Tornado

Most people think it won’t happen to them. You can reduce the risk of injuries or worse during a tornado by avoiding certain situations. Take cover right away and don’t

  • Get on an elevator during a tornado
  • Watch out the window
  • Stand outside
  • Shelter under tall furniture, shelves, or heavy decor

Make North Haven Your Home Whatever The Weather!

We can’t stop storms from happening, but we can offer an exceptional apartment living experience at North Haven Apartments! You’ll feel completely at ease in one of our roomy apartments accompanied by modern amenities in a welcoming community. Call 317-350-1875 or schedule a tour to explore why we’re a preferred place to come home to in Carmel.