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Tornado Safety Checklist

Between January and August of 2010, 1,105 tornadoes touched down in the United States. According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes usually form around thunderstorms and usually in the Midwest where the dry air encounters polar air from Canada and tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico. A tornado usually forms quickly from dark wall clouds and can go 200 mph when it is on the ground. They are dangerous threats and warrant exact safety precautions and procedures.

  1. Alertness

    • Keep aware of local forecasts for watches or warnings, especially if there a storm clouds around. A tornado watch means the weather is prime for the formation of tornadoes. This usually means a strong thunderstorm is on the way and that storm either has already produced tornadoes or has the potential to form them. A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted on the ground. The weather services will usually issue a tornado warning for the entire county the tornado is in, and any counties in the immediate path of that storm.

    Home Shelter

    • A basement or storm cellar below ground level is ideal since you will not be exposed to flying debris should the tornado or its winds damage the home. If neither option is available, get to the lowest floor possible and get inside a room, such as a bathroom or closet, with no windows, tall furniture, or heavy items that could potentially be blown down on top of you. Get under something sturdy and cover your head and neck with your arms.

    Mobile Homeowners

    • Those living in a mobile home should seek the nearest possible shelter. Under no circumstance should you stay in a mobile home if a tornado warning has been issued. Some trailer parks have their own storm shelters, which would be the ideal place to move to. If this does not exist, move to the nearest sturdy building and seek shelter in the lowest possible level of that building (a basement, if possible) with no windows. Get under something sturdy and cover your head and neck.

    Automobile Safety

    • If you are driving and see a tornado nearby, pull over immediately and check the surrounding area. If there is a ditch or low-lying spot nearby, or a concrete overpass, go to it and lie flat on your stomach, covering your head with your arms. If there are no options at all, stay in the car, put on a seatbelt and duck until you are lower than the level of the windows. Cover your head and neck to protect from broken glass and debris. Never try to "outrace" a tornado.

    Before the Storm

    • Put together a tornado disaster kit to keep in the safehouse in your home, such as the storm cellar or basement. This kit should consist of at least one battery-powered flashlight with additional batteries, a map of the surrounding area, a first aid kit and any necessary items that could be lost in a storm, such as important medication.

    After the Storm

    • Do not leave your shelter until the weather services issue an all-clear. Some storm systems will produce multiple tornadoes. When you do emerge, avoid any fallen power lines and check for any broken gas lines. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to limit exposure to broken glass and debris. If it is dark and there is no power, use flashlights, not candles, in case of a broken gas line. Take pictures of all the damage before it's cleaned up for insurance purposes.

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