Tornado safety: what to do in a tornado warning
The National Weather Service says that when a tornado warning is issued you should go to a basement, safe room or an interior room away from windows, on the lowest floor, and protect your head. Mobile homes, sheds, tents and cars are not safe, so get to a sturdy building.
The National Weather Service says people in mobile or manufactured homes are 15 to 20 times more likely to be killed in a tornado than people in permanent homes.
- Watch or warning?
- Where to go, wherever you are
- If you live in a mobile home
- Warning signs
- Get ready before tornado season
- After the tornado
- Gear
Watch or warning?
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado Watch | Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. | Review your plan, check your supplies and safe room, and be ready to act fast. In a mobile home, leave now. |
| Tornado Warning | A tornado has been sighted or shown on weather radar. | Take shelter immediately. |
From the National Weather Service and NWS Jackson, MS.
Where to go, wherever you are
| Where you are | What to do |
|---|---|
| House | Basement, storm cellar, safe room, or an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor. Take pets if there is time. |
| Mobile or manufactured home | Not safe. Leave for a sturdy building before the storm arrives, ideally when the watch is issued. |
| Work or school | Follow your drill and go to the shelter area. Stay away from windows and big open rooms like cafeterias, gyms and auditoriums. |
| Outdoors | Get into a sturdy building now. Sheds, storage units and tents are not safe. |
| In a car | Drive to the closest shelter. If you cannot, either get down in the car and cover your head, or get out and find a low area such as a ditch or ravine. |
In any building, put as many walls as you can between you and the outside, and wear a helmet to protect your head (NWS).
From the National Weather Service and the CDC.
If you live in a mobile home
The National Weather Service says 72% of tornado deaths happen in homes, and more than half of those are in mobile or manufactured homes, even though they are about 6% of US housing. The NWS says an EF-1 tornado can destroy one completely.
- Pick your safe building now. A friend's house, a community shelter, a church or a concrete building. Learn the route and how long it takes to get there.
- Leave at the watch. Go when a Tornado Watch is issued and storms are coming. By the warning, the drive may be too dangerous.
- Take documents and pets, and tell family where you are going.
- Last resort: if a warning comes before you leave, drive with your seat belt on to a sturdy building.
From the NWS mobile home safety sheet and NWS Jackson, MS.
Warning signs
The CDC says some tornadoes come with no warning. Take cover right away if you see or hear:
- A funnel cloud, or a cloud of debris on the ground
- A dark or green sky
- Large hail
- A loud roaring sound
Tornadoes can happen at any hour and any time of year, and have been reported in all 50 states (NWS).
Get ready before tornado season
- Get alerts more than one way: phone alerts, local news and a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup and a tone alert (CDC).
- Choose your safe room and practice getting there with the whole family (NWS).
- Set a meeting place, and if you have no basement, pick a nearby sturdy building you can reach fast (NWS). See family emergency plan.
- Secure heavy things: furniture, the water heater and tall items. Keep beds and chairs away from windows (CDC).
- Know how to shut off utilities (CDC).
- Keep supplies for at least 3 days (CDC). See the go bag checklist.
After the tornado
- Keep listening for alerts. More storms can follow in an outbreak.
- Text family to say you are safe. Texts often get through when calls do not.
- Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes to check damage.
- Stay out of damaged buildings, and report downed power lines.
- Watch out for insurance scammers.
From the National Weather Service. Run any generator outdoors only: see generator safety.
Common mistakes
- Waiting out a tornado in a mobile home. The NWS says it is not a safe place to shelter.
- Waiting for the warning before leaving a mobile home. Go at the watch.
- Sheltering in a big open room like a gym or cafeteria. Find a small interior room.
- Staying near windows to watch. Get to the lowest floor, away from glass.
- Relying only on outdoor sirens. Use phone alerts and a NOAA Weather Radio too.
- Going back into a damaged building to look around.
Gear for this
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NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup and tone alert
The CDC says to consider one. It sounds an alarm for warnings, even at night.
A helmet for each person
The NWS says to wear a helmet to protect your head. A bike or sports helmet works.
Sturdy shoes and work gloves by the safe room
The NWS says to wear sturdy shoes when checking damage.
Flashlight or headlamp
For a dark basement or interior room when the power goes out.
Emergency whistle
Ready.gov lists a whistle to signal for help if you are trapped.
Questions people ask
What is the safest place in a house during a tornado?
The NWS says a basement, storm cellar, safe room, or an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor.
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a warning?
A watch means tornadoes are possible. A warning means one has been seen or shown on radar, so take shelter now.
Is a mobile home safe in a tornado?
No. The NWS says to leave for a sturdy building before the storm arrives, ideally when a watch is issued.
Sources
- National Weather Service: During a Tornado
- National Weather Service: Tornado Watch vs Warning
- National Weather Service: Prepare for a Tornado
- National Weather Service: After a Tornado
- National Weather Service: Mobile Home Safety (PDF)
- NWS Jackson, MS: Mobile and Manufactured Home Safety
- CDC: Tornado Safety
Related entries
- D-06How to make a family emergency planContacts, two meeting places, routes out, and a plan for every person, as a tick-off checklist.
- D-0272-hour go bag checklistWhat to pack so you can leave home in minutes and get through 3 days. Red Cross and FEMA lists, ready to tick off.
- G-05Best NOAA weather radiosA radio that wakes you up for a tornado warning. What SAME and Public Alert mean, and 5 picks.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.