Tornadoes passed through the region Monday night and Tuesday morning and left a path of destruction and loss of life.

With this in mind, here are some tips that will help keep you safe in case the unexpected occurs and you find yourself in harm’s way.

When a thunderstorm hits that has lightning, hail, heavy rain or even tornadoes, the best place to be is inside a storm shelter.

If a storm shelter is not available a well built home or business is the next best place.

If a tornado warning is issued you should put as many walls between you and the outside of the building as possible.

Bathrooms or closets tend to be a central room in a home.

Also remember to move to the lowest level in a multi-level structure.

If for some reason you are caught outside in a storm, either while driving in your car or as a pedestrian, seek shelter from the elements in a sturdy structure, such as a business. Be sure to find an interior room to ride the storm out away from windows.

If you see a tornado and you are in a car, the car is not the safest place to be.

If there are no sturdy structures look for a deep ditch. Exit the car and find the deepest ditch that is nearby. Lying down in the lowest part of the ditch and covering your head with your arms will provide some protection from the high winds and flying debris.

Overpasses are not safe places to seek shelter during a tornado.

A number of people may have seen the 1991 home movie where a group of people take shelter under an overpass during a tornado. These people were lucky.

The fact is, several deaths have been the result of people taking shelter under an overpass during a tornado.

And, as with any emergency situation, have a plan in place.