Tornado Checklist

Tornado Alerts

• Become familiar with your community's warning system; many times, this will be a special siren. You should have an emergency radio with fresh batteries that you can listen to in case of severe weather. Listen to your local news. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides the National Weather Radio network (NWR), broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. The network covers all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the U.S. Pacific Territories. It operates on the VHF public service band between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz. National Weather Radio receivers can be purchased in most electronics stores.

Outside Objects

• Routinely make sure that diseased or weak limbs of trees near your house are trimmed; they could break and fly off during a storm, causing damage. When a tornado watch has been announced, move or secure any objects such as lawn furniture or equipment that could become projectiles. These objects could fly uncontrollably through the air, going through the home or car windows, severely injuring or killing any people or animals still outside.

Safe Room

• You should have a safe room in or near your home in the advent of a tornado. Ideally this would be a cellar, storm shelter or basement that will not accumulate water during an accompanying rainstorm. If you do not have access to any of those, choose an interior room on the lowest floor of your home with no windows, such as a closet or an interior bathroom. Keep your emergency radio and a flashlight in this room as well as protective coverings, such as a mattress, sleeping bags and blankets.

Tornado Drills

• Practice tornado safety drills. Make sure everyone in your home knows where to go and what to do. Familiarize yourself with the location of public shelters in your area in case you are not at home when a tornado strikes. Review what to do if you are driving a car at the time. Drive to the nearest shelter; if debris is flying, stop the car and, with the seat belt still attached, bend down with your head below the windows and cover your head. If there is a nearby area that is lower than the roadway and you can safely get out of the car, lie down in that area and cover your head with your hands.