On the night of November 3as the wind began to roar with unusual force, a family in Choctaw, Oklahomafaced one of the most terrifying moments of his life. A EF-3 tornadowith winds estimated between 218 and 266 kilometers per hour, tore through their neighborhood, destroying homes and leaving hundreds of people displaced. The quick reaction of Rocky Campbell y Emily Swensonwho took refuge in a closet with their daughter, was the difference between life and death.
“I heard the wind, and it sounded different than any other storm,” Campbell recalled in an interview with FOX News Digital. Their instinct saved them when the roof of their house disintegrated on top of them. However, what happened was not an isolated event. He tornadowhich was part of a series of severe storms in the state, left behind a trail of destruction for 40 kilometers and damaged almost 300 structures, according to a report from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Classified as EF-3 in the Improved Fujita Scalehe Choctaw tornado It was characterized by its destructive force, enough to uproot trees and reduce homes to rubble. Campbell and Swenson’s house was one of many declared uninhabitable after the phenomenon. Although the event occurred at night, a time when the storms They are usually more deadly due to the lack of visibility and alert, fortunately there were no fatalities. However, at least 11 people were hospitalized with non-serious injuries, according to the Choctaw Police Department.
The phenomenon was part of the more than six tornadoes recorded that night in Oklahoma. According to meteorologists, they originated during an intense electrical storm that hit the region, highlighting the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather conditions.
“Everything was chaos,” he said. Emily Swenson when remembering the minutes they spent refugees in the closet while the winds ripped away parts of their home.
The experience left the family homeless, forcing them to seek shelter with friends until they found a rental home. Despite the trauma, Swenson expressed her determination to be prepared for future events: “We don’t have a storm shelter, but we will find the safest place at home when the alarms sound”.
In regions like Oklahoma, where tornadoes are a constant threat, tornado shelters have become an essential life-saving tool. These structures are designed to withstand the extreme winds and dangerous debris that accompany severe storms, such as the EF-3 tornado that recently swept through Choctaw.
According to experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)a well-constructed shelter can be the difference between life and death by significantly reducing the risk of serious injury caused by broken glass, flying objects, or collapsing structures.
However, not all homes have dedicated sheltersforcing many families to look for alternatives. For those who do not have a tornado shelterfinding the safest space inside the house is crucial. Experts suggest that windowless interior rooms, such as closets or bathrooms, typically offer the most protection, especially on the lowest level of the building.
In addition to choosing a protected space, it is vital to reinforce it as much as possible. Items such as mattresses, thick blankets, or even helmets can provide an additional layer of safety against impact. debris. Staying informed is also essential. The weather alerts Local and warning systems, such as specialized radios or mobile applications, allow you to act quickly and seek shelter before the storm hits.
In some communities, the shared shelters They offer an additional option for those who do not have safe structures in their homes. However, in rural areas or areas with limited infrastructure, these alternatives are not always available. For these situations, kits to reinforce interior rooms, known as “safe rooms”can provide a basic level of protection, although they do not reach the resistance of the certified shelters.
