When a Tornado Watch is Issued
Prepare to execute your emergency plan. 
  • Check that your emergency kit is in place and check the battery-operated devices.
  • Check that your shelter and the path to it are accessible.
  • Monitor NOAA weather alerts or local media outlets for the latest information.
  • Continue about your normal business.
When a Tornado Warning is Issued
If your area is under a tornado warning, seek safe shelter immediately!  DO NOT waste any time trying to save personal belongings. The only irreplaceable things are your life and the lives of those around you.

General Shelter Guidelines
  • Avoid windows.  An exploding window has the potential to injure or kill.
  • Get as low as possible.
  • Cover yourself and protect your head.
  • In tornado-prone areas, many homes and businesses have dedicated storm cellars or clear identified tornado shelters.

In tornado-prone areas, many homes and businesses have dedicated storm cellars or clear identified tornado shelters.  


Look for signs similar to this.
Sheltering Indoors
At Home
The safest place in the home is the interior part of the basement.  If there is no basement, go to an interior room without windows on the lowest floor.
  • Do not open any windows in your home.
  • Get under something sturdy, such as a heavy table or workbench.
  • Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress and protect your head with anything available, even your hands.
  • Avoid taking shelter where there are heavy objects, such as pianos or refrigerators, on the floor directly above you. Heavy objects could all through the floor.
  • Put bicycle helmets on your kids and strap infants into car seats - in the house.
  • Put on sturdy shoes and, gather your prescription medications, keys and wallet.
  • Protect your head and make yourself as small a target as possible by crouching down in a safety position. 
    • When you are in a shelter, get into the safety position: on your knees, bent over with your head against a wall and covered with your arms. If you are restricted to a wheelchair or cannot get into the standard safety position, place yourself so that you are as protected as possible by the structure around you. Ask those sheltering with you to help you get into a safe position.
Mobile Homes
DO NOT STAY IN A MOBILE HOME DURING A TORNADO!
Mobile homes can turnover during strong winds. Even those with a tie-down system cannot withstand the force of tornado winds. If you are in a mobile home, go to a nearby tornado shelter or a building with a basement. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine or culvert and shield your head with your hands. Most properly managed mobile homes parks should have a severe weather plan in place. If you live in a tornado-prone area, encourage your mobile home community to build a tornado shelter if there is not already one.
 
Long-Span Buildings
Long-span building, such as shopping malls, theaters and gymnasiums, are especially dangerous. Most cannot withstand a tornado they simply collapse.

If you are in a long-span building during a tornado, stay away from windows.  Get to the lowest level of the building or to the basement, if possible. If there is no time to get to a tornado shelter or to a lower level, try to get under a door frame or up against something that will support or deflect falling debris. For example, in a department store, get up against heavy shelving or counters. In a theater, get under the seats. Remember to protect your head.

Public Buildings
Extra care is required in offices, schools, hospitals, churches or any building where a large group of people is concentrated in a small area. These buildings often have large windows.

You should:
  • Move away from windows and glass doorways.
  • Go to the innermost part of the building on the lowest possible floor.
  • Avoid elevators; if there is a power outage, you may be trapped.
  • Protect your head and make yourself as small a target as possible by crouching down in the safety position. (See above)
Sheltering with Special Needs
It is especially important to plan ahead if you need help getting to a tornado shelter.
  • If you are in a wheelchair, go to an interior room of the building, away from windows. If possible, get under a sturdy table or desk. Cover your head with anything available, even your hands.
  • If you are unable to move from a bed or a chair and help is not available, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.
Sheltering Outdoors
On the Road
The worst place to be during a tornado is in a vehicle. Cars, buses and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds. Get out of the vehicle and look for sturdy shelter. Do not try to flee from a tornado in your car. Do not get under your car. Follow the instructions for seeking shelter outdoors.

Outdoors
Get to a sturdy structure for shelter. If you are caught outside during a tornado and there is no safe place to shelter, take the following precautions:
  • Do not shelter under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
  • Lie down flat in a gully, ditch or low spot on the ground. The higher above ground you are, the stronger the wind will be.
  • Protect your head with an object or with your arms. The more exposed your body is, the more likely you are to be struck by flying debris.
  • Avoid areas with many trees.
  • Avoid vehicles.
  • Find something you can hand on to.
  • Be aware that flooding, hail and lightning often accompany tornadoes.
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