Crafting your tornado safety strategy

A well-thought-out plan can make all the difference when a tornado strikes. Learn how to create a robust emergency strategy for your home and loved ones, giving you peace of mind and crucial preparedness.

Always be prepared

Developing a solid tornado emergency plan is crucial for your safety. Follow these simple steps to ensure you and your family are ready:

  • Know your safe spots everywhere: Identify secure locations in your home, school, work, and even at friends' houses.
  • Keep your phone charged: Ensure your mobile device is fully charged when storms are expected.
  • Secure loose outdoor items: Before a storm, bring in or tie down trash cans, bikes, and lawn chairs to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
  • Have shoes and a jacket ready: Keep essential clothing items easily accessible for a quick departure to your safe spot.
  • Review your plan with family: Make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do during a tornado warning.

If you find yourself outside when a tornado hits, seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately. If no building is nearby, lie flat in a low ditch or depression and cover your head. Stay away from cars and trees, as they can flip or fall, and never hide under a bridge, as wind speeds increase significantly there.

Avoiding common planning pitfalls

Many people make critical errors when preparing for tornadoes. By understanding these common mistakes and how to avoid them, you can significantly increase your safety:

Common mistake 1: Waiting until a warning to prepare

People often believe they'll have ample time to prepare once a tornado warning is issued. However, warnings can give you minutes or less to react.

Advice: Have your safe spot, emergency kit, and alert systems established before storm season begins, not during it.

Common mistake 2: Choosing unsafe shelter areas

Going to rooms with windows, garages, or under overpasses are all dangerous choices during a tornado.

Advice: Select a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of your home with no windows. If outside, never hide under a bridge.

Ensuring everyone is prepared

Effective planning involves more than just knowing what to do; it requires practice and awareness:

Common mistake 3: Not practicing the plan

Families often assume everyone "knows what to do," but panic can cause people to freeze in critical moments.

Advice: Conduct a quick practice run with your family so everyone knows where to go and what to grab.

Common mistake 4: Ignoring weather alerts

Some individuals silence notifications or assume a tornado "won't hit here," leading to dangerous complacency.

Advice: Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and keep your phone charged during periods of severe weather.

Common mistake 5: Leaving outdoor items unsecured

Loose items in your yard can become extremely dangerous flying debris during a tornado.

Advice: Before storms approach, secure or bring inside any outdoor items that could be picked up by strong winds.