TORNADO
Information  Sheet
Be Prepared – Protect Loved Ones

• Make A Disaster Supplies Kit
• Develop a Family Emergency Plan
• Before a Tornado
• During a Tornado
• After a Tornado

Printer-friendly PDF version that includes all the above topics.

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent and unpredictable storms.  A tornado can travel for miles and along the ground, lift and quickly change direction and strike again.  There is little you can do to protect your home or workplace from the strength of tornado winds, but there are actions you can take to protect yourself and your family.

BEFORE A TORNADO

Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.  Discuss with family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning."  A “tornado watch” is given when weather is favorable to the formation of tornadoes.  A “tornado warning” is given when a tornado funnel is sighted or indicated by radar. Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there.

Mobile homes are vulnerable. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. Plan ahead.  Make arrangements to stay with friends or relatives.  Go there if a tornado watch is issued.  DO NOT STAY IN A MOBILE HOME.

Learn these tornado danger signs:

• An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.

• Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.

• Tornadoes usually occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

Develop a Family Emergency Plan

Template for Making an Emergency Plan

In case family members are separated from one another during a hurricane (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Identify temporary accommodation, such as a friend’s place or hotel, where you can stay for a few days in case you are evacuated.  Don’t forget to plan for pets – they are not always welcome in emergency shelters or hotels.