Tornadoes
The U.S. has over 1,000 tornadoes a year, more than any other country in the world. Learn more about what to do and how to stay safe.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
This action is designed to be used with the Get Prepared Steps, be sure to complete Steps 1-5!
1Step 1: Learn about tornadoes
When and where do tornadoes happen and what kind of warning alerts are there?
What is a tornado?
A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. We can only see them if they form a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust, and debris. Winds from tornadoes can exceed 200 miles per hour. These intense winds can destroy buildings and create flying debris, which are the main causes of most injuries and deaths during tornadoes.
When and where do tornadoes happen?
Tornadoes can happen anywhere, though severe tornadoes are most common east of the Rocky Mountains, in the Midwest, and Southeast. Although they can happen any time of the year, they are more frequent in spring and summer, and are more likely to occur in the late afternoon and evening, between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm. What to look for includes: a rotating funnel shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris or a loud roar like a freight train.
How are tornadoes measured?
Tornado strength is measured based on the wind damage level, on a scale of EF0 to EF5, with EF5 indicating winds over 200 mph and severe damage reported. Even the lowest category, EF0, includes winds up to 85 mph that can topple small trees and cause roof damage — so it’s important to take any chance of a tornado seriously.
What’s the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
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A tornado watch is issued by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center and means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes, so pay close attention for updates on the weather with the local news station or NOAA updates.
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A tornado warning is issued by your local NOAA office and means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, and you need to take shelter immediately! Once issued, you have an average of 8 to 11 minutes before the tornado hits. Warnings can be provided by a tornado siren, an emergency alert on your phone or new or weather stations.
2Step 2: Add these items to your plan
Add these items to your plan in Step 3. Make a plan and print out the one page information sheet to add to your kit.
The most important aspect of being tornado-ready is knowing where and how to take shelter:
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The safest place in your home is a storm cellar, the interior part of a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor of your home, without windows, like a center hallway, bathroom, or closet. Decide on this room as a household.
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If you live in a mobile home, make a plan for how to get to a sturdy building quickly. According to the National Weather Service, nearly 40 percent of tornado deaths have historically happened in mobile homes.
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Check with your workplace and schools for their tornado emergency plans. If you live or work in a highrise building, you may not have time to get to the ground floor, so also choose a shelter spot in a room or hallway without windows in the center of the building.
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Identify a local storm shelter you can use if needed.
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When storms are forecasted (before, not during a tornado warning), bring heavy items inside to reduce damage.
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Ensure everyone in your household knows what a tornado siren sounds like. The National Weather Service has determined two weather conditions for siren use. A steady tone, lasting 3 minutes, means a tornado watch or a severe thunderstorm watch. A wailing tone (6 sec. Hi/6 Low) lasting 3 minutes means a tornado warning or severe thunderstorm warning.
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Practice taking shelter with your whole household, and make sure that children know what to do and where to go if you’re not with them.
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Make sure your phone receives emergency alerts. You may also want to purchase a NOAA Weather Radio or bookmark your local NOAA radio station online to stream weather reports. NOAA provides real time updates with reports to locations where tornadoes have occurred in your area.
3Step 3: Add these items to your household preparation
Add these items to your household preparation in Step 4. Resilience for Homeowners/Renters
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Install permanent shutters to cover windows, which can be quickly closed to provide protection against at least some strong wind and debris.
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Keep trees trimmed of dead or weakened limbs, which can break off in strong winds. Clean up any heavy debris like branches, bricks, or firewood from the area around the outside of your home.
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Strengthen your garage doors, which can be easily damaged in storms and can weaken your entire home during severe winds.
4Step 4: Learn what to do during a tornado
If there’s a tornado, don’t panic! You’ve already taken many steps to be prepared. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.
During a tornado warning: immediately take shelter!
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If you are inside or right outside your home, gather family members and pets to your pre-determined shelter room.
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If you are away from home, seek the closest basement or sturdy building, on the lowest level of the building, away from windows or follow tornado emergency plans in place for that location.
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If you’re in your car and can’t quickly get into a building, pull over and park. Keep the engine running and your seatbelt buckled, and bend over, below the window level, with your hands or a blanket covering your head.
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Don’t stop under an overpass or bridge, you are safer in a low, flat location.
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Don’t try to outrun the tornado!
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Once you’re in your shelter spot: cover your head and neck with your arms and blankets or pillows if you have them nearby.
After you’ve taken shelter:
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Listen for updates: Pay attention to alerts on your phone, the radio, or FEMA app for updates and new instructions.
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Check in: Contact anyone you know in the vicinity of the tornado who may not be aware of the risk or who may need assistance to get to a shelter.
5Step 5: Learn what to do right after a tornado
A tornado warning may last just a few minutes to more than an hour. Leave your shelter spot only when alerts say it is safe to do so. When you do, remember it’s normal to feel anxiety or grief, so take care of yourself and your loved ones. The most important thing is that you and your loved ones are safe, and you’ve done what you could to lower your risks and protect your home.
Basic Necessities:
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Shelter: If your home isn’t safe or habitable and you can’t stay with neighbors or friends, find a local shelter near you. You can:
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text SHELTER and your zip code to 4FEMA (43362), e.g. SHELTER 01234.
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Search on the FEMA app or Red Cross app for open shelters.
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In the FEMA app, click “Disaster Resources” → “Shelters” → “Map View”
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In the Red Cross app, click the Maps icon on the bottom right.
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Food & Water: If you do not have access to food and water, or if you’re not certain your supplies are safe to consume, get supplies if it is safe to do so or find a local food bank by contacting a shelter or through feedingamerica.org
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Refer to the Food & Water Safety action for tips on how to safely manage and store food and water during and after a disaster.
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- First aid: If anyone is seriously or injured, call 911 or go to the hospital. If you are not sure, err on the side of caution and get medical help. If the injury is minor, administer first aid if you are trained and contact your healthcare provider for instructions.
Once you know everyone is safe:
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Contact family and friends, including your out-of-area emergency contact. For non-emergencies, use text or social media to reduce the strain on phone systems. Check in on your neighbors - this is a time we need to lean on each other.
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Wait for authorities to confirm it’s safe to return to your area. When you get home, enter carefully and be mindful of hazards.
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Don’t enter your home if there is any chance of structural damage. Have a trained professional check your home and clear it for safe re-entry.
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If there’s been flooding, avoid wading in water which can carry harmful chemicals, bacteria and debris.
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Avoid damaged or fallen power lines and poles and report them to your utility company immediately.
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When you start to clean up, wear protective clothing, sturdy shoes or boots, and work gloves and use a respirator or N95 mask to protect yourself from inhaling particles. You can also wet debris to reduce the dust from billowing.
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Do not vacuum up dust, as this will cause the particles to billow in the air and make it easier to breathe them in.
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Read Step 5. Recovery After a Disaster for important information on safe cleanup, support resources and handling insurance after a tornado. Be sure to take photos for insurance before you clean!