How to Prepare for Tornadoes or Severe Thunderstorms

Last Updated: August 30, 2021

Severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.) can be a scary experience and potentially a life threatening dilemma, but if you follow the guidelines below, you can increase your chance of survival. These are smart steps for you prepare and stay safe from severe weather.

Steps

1
When a severe thunderstorm watch is issued, look for a huge cloud from a vantage point in your house. If the wind is pushing your direction, you could get a severe thunderstorm. Make sure to look for dark clouds and lightning and listen for thunder. If needed or preferred, take any vulnerable outdoor appliances indoors.
2
Look at your radar, listen to your radio, or watch the weather channel for updates. This will help you keep up to date on the latest information on the weather and prepare you for future weather events. Make sure to use this to your advantage, especially during bad, favorable weather.
3
If there is a severe thunderstorm warning, it normally means the storm is entering your county. If needed, take any outdoor appliances indoors and quickly get to shelter. Don't stand outside, you'll risk getting struck by lighting.
- If you are stranded outside, get into a vehicle. If that's not possible, lie down in a ditch, do not stand upright.
4
If you hear sirens, react fast. This means a tornado warning has been issued for your area. Quickly, go to your safe interior room away from windows, doors and exterior walls. Bathrooms, closets, basements and bunkers are all good places for shelter.
5
If there is a severe storm above you, it may be necessary to go to your safe spot. Winds may pick up or there might be lots of lightning. If you live in a full frame house, it may be okay, but stay away from windows just in case. Don't take showers or touch objects made of lightning conducting material.
6
Check your statewide channel and website. This could help you if you're not able to identify different sirens, there may be a few sirens and they can all mean different things, but they all sound the same. Here are a few scenarios:
- Scenario 1: A tornado from a different state or county is headed your way and sirens go off.
- Scenario 2: Your governor has declared state of emergency for your county.
- Scenario 3: Rotation and a wall cloud is spotted on the storm.
- Scenario 4: (Worst case scenario and smallest warning,) a funnel cloud has been spotted or a tornado is on the ground.
7
If a tornado picked back up, stay in your safe spot for the rest of the storm. Be aware that even when a tornado has "finished," it doesn't mean it's safe or that another tornado can't appear, it is recommended to stay in your shelter until further notice.
8
Listen for a train, roaring, or airplane engine type of sound IN YOUR SAFE SPOT. These sounds may indicate that a tornado is in the area, so quickly get to shelter.

Warnings

Do not go chasing after a tornado unless you're a storm chaser.

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There can be very little warning (like the Joplin tornado), so sometimes you have to do this on your own. If you spot rotation in the cloud, move to your safe spot.

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