You’re no stranger to severe thunderstorms and the risk of tornadoes. While it’s impossible to predict with certainty when or where a tornado will touch down, there are steps you can take to prepare in advance and stay safe during these events.
- Create a Tornado Emergency Plan
- Create a Tornado Emergency Plan
This plan should include a communication strategy, evacuation routes, and a meeting point outside the home in case you get separated. - Identify safe rooms or areas
Designate interior rooms or areas on the lowest floor with no windows, such as basements, storm cellars, or closets. - Choose a safe room leader
Appoint an adult to be responsible for leading the family to safety during a tornado warning.
- Create a Tornado Emergency Plan
- Secure Your Home
- Trim trees and shrubs
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to minimize branches that could cause damage in strong winds. - Secure outdoor furniture and decorations
Bring in or tie down patio furniture, bicycles, trash cans, and other items that could become projectiles in high winds. - Install storm shutters
Consider installing storm shutters on windows to prevent damage from wind-borne debris. - Reinforce your garage door
Install a reinforced garage door or secure it with a sturdy strap to prevent wind-driven debris from entering the home.
- Trim trees and shrubs
- Prepare an Emergency Kit
- First aid supplies
Include a first aid kit with essential items, such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any prescription medications. - Flashlights and batteries
Store flashlights, extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio in case the power goes out. - Important documents
Keep copies of insurance policies, identification, and other important documents in your emergency
- First aid supplies
- Prepare Emergency Food
- Choose high-calorie foods
Select foods that are high in calories to help maintain energy levels during an extended emergency situation.
* Examples include peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, nuts, and dried fruits. - Store food in airtight containers
Use airtight containers or zip-top bags to keep food fresh and prevent spoilage. Field mice are very common here. - Rotate your stock
Regularly check the expiration dates of your emergency food supplies and replace them as needed. - Consider MREs or dehydrated meals
MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and dehydrated meals are lightweight, compact, and can be easily stored for extended periods and are easily available at online vendors, like Amazon.
- Choose high-calorie foods
- Prepare Emergency Water
- Store at least 1 gallon per person per day
Plan for at least 3 days’ worth of drinking water in case help cannot arrive soon - Consider a water purification system
Invest in a water filtration system or purification tablets to make contaminated water safe to drink. - Use food-grade water containers
Store emergency water in food-grade containers, such as plastic bottles or collapsible water containers. - Check the expiration dates
Regularly check the expiration dates of your emergency water supplies and replace them as needed.
- Store at least 1 gallon per person per day
- Stay Informed
- Sign up for emergency alerts
Register with your local emergency management agency or weather service to receive timely warnings and updates. Weather alert radios can be of great help, such as:
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-WR120B-WR120EZ-Certified-Trilingual/dp/B00176T9OY - Download a weather app
Download a weather app on your smartphone that can send you severe weather alerts, such as the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) app. - Keep a battery-powered radio
Keep a battery-powered radio on hand in case the power goes out.
- Sign up for emergency alerts
- Practice and Review
- Practice drills
Conduct regular tornado drills with your family to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a tornado warning. - Review and update your plan
Review your emergency plan annually or as circumstances change, such as changes in household members or pets.
- Practice drills
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