Tornadoes strike with devastating speed, leaving little time to react when warnings sound. Knowing how to identify safe shelter locations, interpret weather alerts, and secure property can dramatically improve survival odds during these violent storms.
Every household in tornado-prone regions should prepare emergency kits, practice drills, and understand the critical differences between tornado watches and warnings.
Secure windows and doors: Install impact-resistant windows or storm shutters.
Anchor the roof: Use hurricane clips or straps to better connect the roof to the walls and the walls to the foundation.
Reinforce your garage door with a bracing kit or replace with a wind-rated door, garage failure often leads to major roof damage.
Anchor outdoor furniture, swingsets and grills: Use straps, sandbags, or bring them inside before severe weather hits.
Secure sheds and outbuildings: Make sure smaller structures are anchored to the ground or reinforced to resist wind uplift.
Trim trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of falling branches.
Take photos of every room, particularly with areas of expensive items, and ensure they’re stored in the cloud or emailed to someone. These photos will be useful if insurance claims are needed after the event.
Stock essential supplies, ideally in a backpack or duffle bag in case you need to evacuate. Include water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, a flashlight or headlamp, a crank radio/phone charger, medications, important documents, and a change of clothes for each person in your family.
Have protective helmets or headgear like motorcycle, skiing, or bicycle helmets for every person in your household to wear during a tornado threat. The majority of deaths during tornadoes are due to head trauma.
If you have animals, include copies of their vaccination records and food for a few days if you need to go to a shelter.
