Tornado Safety: Shelter, Evacuation, and More

Tornadoes are among nature’s most violent storms, capable of producing devastating damage in mere minutes. With wind speeds that can exceed 200 miles per hour, tornadoes can destroy well-built structures, uproot trees, and hurl vehicles and debris like missiles. Understanding how to stay safe during a tornado is crucial, and this involves having a well-thought-out shelter and evacuation plan.

This blog post will cover essential aspects of tornado safety, including how to create a shelter and evacuation plan, tornado warning signs, safety tips for those without basements, advice for staying safe if you’re driving, commercial tornado shelter options, and technology resources like smartphone apps and NOAA weather radios.

Tornado Warning Signs

Understanding the warning signs of a tornado can be lifesaving. Tornadoes can develop quickly, often with little warning, but there are key indicators that one may be imminent:

1. Dark, Greenish Sky: Tornado-producing storms often feature a sky with a greenish hue, particularly when a tornado is forming or already on the ground.
2. Large, Low-Lying Cloud Base: Tornadoes often form from large, rotating thunderstorms known as supercells. A wall cloud, which is a large, low-lying cloud base, can sometimes be seen before a tornado forms.
3. Loud Roaring Noise: Tornadoes produce a distinctive, continuous roar, often compared to the sound of a freight train.
4. Hail and Heavy Rain Followed by Calm: If heavy rain or hail suddenly stops and the environment becomes eerily calm, it could indicate that a tornado is about to form.
5. Rotating Dust and Debris: Even if a tornado funnel is not visible, you may see rotating debris on the ground or a dust cloud being pulled into the air.
6. Frequent Lightning: Frequent lightning or rapid flashes can indicate a severe thunderstorm, which may produce a tornado.

[Editor’s note: Wind speeds don’t need to reach tornado-levels to cause significant damage to structures, uproot trees, and damage vehicles. Pay attention to what’s going on around you, even if there are no tornado watches or warnings issued.]

Creating a Tornado Shelter and Evacuation Plan

A well-prepared shelter and evacuation plan can make all the difference during a tornado. Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify a Safe Shelter

• Basements: The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement. If your home has a basement, designate a specific area for shelter. Ensure it’s clear of clutter and stocked with emergency supplies like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a whistle, and a basic first aid kit. Check contents yearly; replace as needed.
• No Basement: If you don’t have a basement, choose a small, windowless, interior room on the lowest floor of your home, such as a bathroom, closet, or hallway. The idea is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible because it’s the debris that tornado winds bring that tend to cause the most harm to humans and pets.
• Mobile Homes: Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. If you live in a mobile home, identify a nearby sturdy building or storm shelter where you can take refuge.
• Commercial Buildings: When in a public or commercial building during a tornado, head to the designated storm shelter or a windowless interior room on the lowest floor. Avoid large open spaces like auditoriums, gyms, or cafeterias.

2. Stock Your Shelter

• Emergency Kit: Your emergency kit should include water, non-perishable food, medications, a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered NOAA weather radio, blankets, and extra clothing. You may want to include some prescription medications if they’re shelf-stable and crucial to living. Remember items for your pets, too, such as extra water and food.
• Personal Documents: Keep copies of important documents like identification, insurance policies, and medical records in a waterproof container in your shelter. [Editor’s note: You could keep this information electronically, encrypted, even in the Cloud. But hardcopies are always useful to have available somewhere.]
• Tools and Equipment: Have a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if necessary. Consider keeping a whistle to signal for help and a dust mask to filter contaminated air. [Editor’s note: a crowbar may prove useful should you need to break out.]
• Comfort Items: Include some comfort items like pillows, a battery-powered fan, or even a small toy or book if you have children. Treats and toys for pets may be useful, including cat litter and a box for cats. Swap out all food, water, and any perishable items yearly.

3. Create a Response and Evacuation Plan

• Practice Drills: Regularly practice your tornado drills with your family. Make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do during a tornado warning, especially children.
• Plan for Pets: Include your pets in your evacuation plan. Have a pet carrier, leash, and food ready in your shelter should you need to evacuate afterward.
• Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan in case family members are separated during a tornado. Designate a relative or friend out of town as a point of contact.
• Evacuation Plans: Your home may become unusable as shelter after a tornado. Have a bug out bag and plans to go elsewhere should the need arise.

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Basement

If your home doesn’t have a basement, you can still take steps to protect yourself during a tornado:

1. Find the Safest Room: Choose a small, windowless, interior room on the lowest floor of your home, such as a bathroom, closet, or hallway.
2. Crouch and Cover: Protect yourself by crouching low to the ground and covering your head and neck with your arms. Use a mattress, heavy blankets, or even a helmet to shield yourself from debris.
3. Avoid Windows: Stay away from windows, as broken glass can cause injuries.
4. In Apartments or High-Rises: If you live in an apartment or high-rise building, move to a hallway or stairwell on the lowest possible floor. Avoid elevators as they may become inoperable during a tornado.
5. Bathtubs or Interior Rooms: A bathtub can offer some protection. Crouch low and cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets.

What to Do If You’re Driving

If you are driving when a tornado warning is issued, your first priority is to find a safe place to shelter. Here’s what to do:

1. Do Not Try to Outrun the Tornado: Tornadoes can change direction quickly and are capable of moving at speeds faster than your vehicle.
2. Seek Shelter: If possible, drive to the nearest sturdy building. If no shelter is available, consider driving out of the tornado’s path at right angles to its movement.
3. Exit the Vehicle: If you cannot drive away safely, exit the vehicle and find a low-lying area such as a ditch to lie down in. Cover your head with your arms and try to shield yourself from flying debris. Do not seek shelter under an overpass, as these structures can create wind tunnels, increasing the danger from debris. [Editor’s note: I think I’d rather be inside a vehicle in a low-lying ditch than not.]
4. Stay in Your Vehicle: If there’s no safe option to leave your vehicle, buckle your seatbelt, keep your head down below the windows, and cover yourself with a blanket or coat.
5. Turn on Your Radio: Tune in to a local station for updates, or use your smartphone to track the storm’s path. [Editor’s note: You should probably know and even program your local radio emergency station, usually an AM station, into each vehicle’s radio.]

Commercial Tornado Shelter Options

For those who live in tornado-prone areas, investing in a commercially manufactured tornado shelter may be a wise decision. Here are some options:

1. Underground Shelters: These are typically installed below ground level, such as in a backyard or garage. They offer excellent protection from debris and high winds. Some models are pre-fabricated, while others are custom-built.
2. Above-Ground Safe Rooms: These are reinforced structures built inside or attached to your home. They are designed to withstand the force of a tornado and can be installed in a garage, closet, or even as a standalone unit outside your home.
3. Community Shelters: Some communities offer public storm shelters, often located in schools, fire stations, or other public buildings. It’s important to know the location of these shelters and how long it would take you to reach them in an emergency.
4. Commercial Shelters: Many companies specialize in building tornado shelters that meet or exceed FEMA standards. These shelters can be customized to fit your needs and may include features like ventilation systems, emergency lighting, and communication devices.

Technology and Alert Systems

Staying informed during severe weather is critical. Here are some tools and technologies that can help:

1. NOAA Weather Radios: A NOAA weather radio is one of the most reliable ways to receive emergency alerts. These radios provide continuous broadcasts of weather information and will automatically sound an alarm if a tornado warning is issued. Be sure to properly program it so you get the correct alerts for your area.
2. Smartphone Apps: Several apps can provide real-time weather alerts, including:

• The Weather Channel App: Offers real-time alerts and severe weather updates.
• NOAA Weather App: Provides live radar, weather forecasts, and severe weather alerts.
• FEMA App: Offers disaster resources, alerts, and tips on how to prepare for emergencies.

1. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): WEA messages are emergency alerts sent by authorized government alerting authorities. They appear on your mobile device without the need to download an app or subscribe to a service.
2. Local TV and Radio: Local news stations often provide live coverage of severe weather events. Keep a battery-powered TV or radio in your shelter to stay informed.
3. Social Media and Online Resources: Many meteorologists and news organizations provide updates on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Follow trusted sources for the latest information.

[Editor’s note: I wrote a book about which smartphone apps are best for survival purposes if you’d like more than just a few options.]

Final Thoughts

Tornadoes are unpredictable and dangerous, but by preparing ahead of time, you can significantly increase your chances of staying safe. Create a shelter and evacuation plan, stay informed with reliable alert systems, and know what to do whether you’re at home, on the road, or in a public place when a tornado strikes. Being prepared is your best defense against these powerful storms.