Office of Emergency Management

Preparation Steps: Before, During, and After a Tornado

Being prepared for a tornado doesn’t just mean shelter - though that is arguably the most important thing about tornado safety.  Being prepared before, during, and after a tornado ensures your safety, minimizes the impact of the storm on your life and property, and enables a quicker, more organized recovery process.

Before the tornado

There are a few things you can do to prepare the area outside and around your home. For example, securing outdoor items; tieing down, or bringing smaller inside items will prevent them from becoming projectiles in the high winds of a tornado. This includes items like outdoor furniture, grills, garden tools, trash cans, or sports equipment.

To reinforce your home and improve its resiliency during severe storms, consider installing Storm Shutters (impact-resistant windows and reinforced garage doors). If you’re in the market for a new roof, be sure to ask about using the strongest fasteners available to protect against high winds. Assess your property and the trees or other large items in the yard. Remove or trim branches that could fall on your home or those that are close enough to break windows. These measures can protect your home from the damage of tornadoes rated on the low side of the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale). 

Create an Evacuation Plan so that your whole family knows what to do when a tornado warning is on for your area. Be sure every member of the family knows about the shelter or location and understands that it’s there for their protection. For those with young children, make a game out of going into the storm shelter at times when it’s not scary - a drill. This will prepare them for the real thing. Also, make yourself aware of your child’s emergency evacuation plans at school and make any accommodations necessary.

When the weather is bad, have multiple ways of receiving weather updates (TV, Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, Mobile App, Radar, Weather Radio, Friends/Family etc). Keep an eye out for Tornado Watches and Warnings and know the difference. Teach your kids the difference, too, especially if they're at an age where they may be home alone. Practicing tornado drills can be a good way to prepare your children so that when a tornado is imminent, they won’t panic, but instead, will follow the safety plan. It’s also a good idea to subscribe to a location-based warning system that tells you exactly when your home is in the area that requires sheltering. You can sign up for the AST Emergency Notification system with the following link: https://member.everbridge.net/454514914099306/login . This Wireless Emergency Alert system will send a message directly to your mobile device when a warning is issued in the location you input.

During the tornado

Once you’ve gotten to a safe place, it’s a bit of a waiting game. Staying calm is important, since that will help you think clearly. Take some deep breaths to reduce anxiety and keep your composure. If you are a parent, your calm demeanor will help your children stay calm. Reassure children that you are in the safest place you can be. 

Utilize your emergency preparedness kit if needed (for food, water, batteries, medicine etc.)

If you are away from your home tornado shelter, and seeking shelter in an interior room or basement, be sure to keep away from windows and exterior walls to avoid flying debris. You should also protect your head and neck with your arms, a heavy coat, or whatever is available.

After the tornado

Most times, the threat ends up being just that - a threat. You can come out of your shelter feeling good that you had a safe place to stay. You might need to call a few relatives to let them know you’re okay. 

However, if a tornado does actually touch down while you’re in shelter, there are a few things to do:

• If you’ve sheltered in an interior room or certified storm shelter, before anything else, check everyone for injuries, and provide first aid or seek medical attention, as needed.

• Before you leave your shelter, check with your local news, cell phone, emergency alert, weather radio, or your best judgement to make sure the threats have passed.

• Once you’ve exited the shelter, you can begin to inspect for damage. Carefully check your property for hazards like gas leaks or structural damage. 

• Avoid downed power lines. Observe them from afar and report them to the authorities. 

• Contact your family and friends to let them know you are safe. They may have heard about the storm and will appreciate knowing your status.

• Document the damage. For insurance purposes, take photos of any new damage to your property or home.

If needed, use local resources for assistance and support, or offer your support to others.