Tornado Survival 101: What to Do When Tornadoes Strike

April 26, 2010 — -- When a vicious tornado ripped through a Mississippi church, the only person inside dove for cover under a communion table. The quick thinking may have saved his life -- within minutes the church was completely destroyed.

"I was praying," Dale Thrasher said. "It's just like He put his arms around me and that table and sheltered me from that storm."

On Saturday the powerful tornado cut a swath of destruction from Lousiana to Mississippi, claiming at least 12 lives in the process. Some others barely managed to escape, crediting everything from a freezer to cinderblocks for saving their skin.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there are several steps citizens can take before, during and after a tornado to even the odds against "nature's most violent storms."

Pay Attention to Warnings

When the National Weather Service sends out any tornado alerts or warnings, tune to the NWS radio, FEMA said. The station is dedicated to giving 24/7 updates on current weather conditions. Click here for more information on the NWS radio station.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also has a Web site on which you can track the country's most dangerous storms. Click here to visit the NOAA Watch Web site.

Watch the Skies

Sometime's it's as simple as looking out your window. FEMA advises that as long as the storm hasn't already hit, check the sky for the following danger signs: