Tornadoes are deadly because they move quickly and throw debris around. If you live in an apartment building, knowing what to do when a tornado hits is essential.

The first thing you should do if the weather forecast indicates that a tornado is imminent is to find shelter in the lowest area of your apartment that you can, preferably on the ground floor. This could be a basement or an underground parking garage, but if you can't get to that level, head to the interior of your apartment and hide as far away from windows as possible.

If you're in a high-rise, the safest place to seek shelter is in a hallway or closet that doesn't have exterior walls. Bathrooms are also considered a good option because they are generally inside rooms and the thick pipes they have can insulate you against the tornado's winds.

Make sure to have plenty of water and non-perishable food in your emergency kit, as well as a fully charged cellular phone. This can be a lifesaver if you're stuck for a long time in a tornado.

The next thing you should do is make sure that your apartment has a renter's insurance policy. Most will be inexpensive and cover you in the event that something happens to your home. You can also use your insurance to cover the cost of emergency repairs or replacements to damaged items. It's worth a small fee for the peace of mind.