Plains Tornadoes Kill 5, Injure Dozens

May 11, 2010 — -- It was nearly impossible on Monday to look into the sky of the Midwest's "Tornado Alley" without seeing a menancing twister bearing down.

Today, in many places it was impossible to see past the devastation those twisters caused in toppled stores, flattened schools and the ripped up towns.

Five people died and 58 were injured by the 40 tornadoes that ripped through Kansas and Oklahoma Monday. The twisters had winds estimated at 150 miles per hour, spouted hail the size of baseballs and left thousands without power. Survivors took cover wherever they could.

"We tried to get as many walls between [people] and the storm... It was certainly loud and extraordinarily windy with debris flying all over the place, things falling," said Warren Waltz, regional manager of Love's Travel Stops in Choctaw, Okla., where several people waited out the violent storm. "It was certainly a harrowing experience, but we all made it through... We were very fortunate to make it out OK."

Waltz's store was completely destroyed save for a few displays that stood miraculously untouched by the extreme winds.

Major interstates in Kansas and Oklahoma were shut down briefly as several tractor trailers were lifted off their wheels and toppled by the high winds.

In Norman, Okla., a school was completely destroyed by the storm, but luckily the school's hundreds of students had headed home just hours earlier.

"The kids and I got in the closet and prayed," Jamie Keyes, of Norman, told The Associated Press. "I heard a hiss. It was like something was whistling very loud."

The town of Belmont suffered the most damage in Kansas where several homes were hit by the tornadoes but no injuries were reported, according to the AP.

Government Tips on Tornado Survival

Sometimes there's not a lot you can do to avoid the devastation of tornadoes bearing down on your home, but according to the government, you can take several steps to help keep you and your family safe.

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:

Dark, often green sky

Large hail

Large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)

Loud roar, similar to a freight train

What To Do During the Storm

When it comes to what to do during a storm, your strategy could change depending on where your are, according to the FEMA Web site.

If you're in a well defined structure with sturdy walls, you should go to any pre-designated shelter if there is one, like a storm cellar or basement. If there is no pre-designed shelter, head to the lowest floor of the building. Be sure to stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.

If there's no basement, try and find the most central room and take cover there, possibly under a sturdy table.

If you're in a vehicle or any kind of mobile home, FEMA recommends getting out immediately and heading for a building or storm shelter.

"Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes," FEMA says on its site.

If you're outside and there's no shelter available, get as low as you can. Head for a ditch or depression and cover your head, FEMA says. Do not go under a bridge or overpass.

One thing FEMA says not to do that could be a natural instinct for most: Do not try to outrun the twister if you're in a congested or urban area.

"Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter."

Also, keep an eye out for flying debris.

Click here to visit FEMA's Web site for the full tornado survival tips.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.