Should You Close Interior Doors During A Tornado =link= Today

Structural engineers have proven that the pressure differential inside vs. outside a home during a tornado is negligible—roughly equivalent to the pressure change experienced when ascending a few floors in an elevator. Homes do not explode due to air pressure.

To understand why closing doors is vital, one must first understand how a tornado destroys a home. should you close interior doors during a tornado

Should You Close Interior Doors During a Tornado? Yes, you should during a tornado or high-wind event . While many people focus on exterior reinforcements, experts from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the National Weather Service emphasize that closing interior doors is a critical, low-cost step to protect your home's structural integrity. Why Closing Interior Doors Matters To understand why closing doors is vital, one

Decades of post-tornado engineering studies (including from NIST and the Red Cross) have debunked the idea that opening windows or doors equalizes pressure or prevents a house from exploding. Modern houses are not airtight enough for pressure to build explosively. Opening an exterior door during a tornado actually invites wind and debris inside, increasing damage and risk of injury. While many people focus on exterior reinforcements, experts

| Action | Recommended? | Why | |--------|--------------|------| | Close interior doors | ✅ Yes | Reduces pressure differentials & debris spread | | Open windows/doors | ❌ No | Invites wind & debris; no pressure equalization benefit | | Close & lock exterior doors | ✅ Yes | Helps them resist wind pressure | | Shelter door closed | ✅ Yes | Keeps the safe zone isolated |