HOW TO 

PREPARE

FOR A TORNADO
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Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent storms and can 

cause death, injury, and destruction within seconds. How to 

Prepare for a Tornado explains how to protect yourself and 

details the steps to take now so that you can act quickly at a 

time when every second counts. 

TORNADO

BASICS

WHAT

WHEN

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the 

ground and is often—although not always—visible as a funnel cloud. Once the tornado 

has passed, the National Weather Service (NWS) rates them using the Enhanced 

Fujita (EF) scale based on the severity of the damage and estimated wind speed. 

The scale goes from an EF0 tornado, which causes light damage, to an EF5 tornado, 

which causes total devastation. Lightning and hail are common in thunderstorms that 

produce tornadoes.

Tornadoes can strike in any season, but occur most often in the spring and summer 

months. They can occur at all hours of the day and night, but are most likely to 

occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

About 1,200 tornadoes hit the United States every year and every state is at risk. 

Most tornadoes in the United States occur east of the Rocky Mountains.

The destruction and injury caused by a tornado depends on the intensity, size, path, time 

of day, and amount of time they are on the ground. Wind from tornadoes can reach 

more than 200 miles per hour, and damage paths can be more than 1 mile wide and 

50 miles long. 

- Damage can range from light to catastrophic. Injuries can be minor, serious, or 

life-threatening. Fatalities can result even in the lower-rated tornadoes (EF0/EF1). 

Wind from tornadoes can cause structural damage, transform debris into deadly 

projectiles, move and destroy houses, de-bark trees, and roll cars.

- A tornado may disrupt transportation, power, water, gas, communications, and 

other services in its direct path and in neighboring areas. 

- Heavy rains, flash flooding, and hail can occur from related thunderstorms.

Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes are caused by being 

struck or cut by falling or wind-borne debris. When a tornado 

threatens, your goal is to go to the safest place for protection 

before the tornado hits and to take additional measures for 

personal cover.

YOUR GOAL FOR

PROTECTION

BEST PROTECTION

The best protection in all tornadoes is provided by a structure built to the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) safe room or the International Code 

Council (ICC) 500 storm shelter standards. These structures provide near-absolute 

protection. 

WHERE

IMPACT
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MODERATE PROTECTION

In a sturdy building, a small, interior, windowless room, such as a closet or bathroom, 

on the lowest level of the building provides moderate protection. A floor below 

ground is best. In these locations, use additional personal cover. Use what is available 

to cover yourself, such as a coat or blanket, and cover your head and neck with 

your arms. To make sure you know the safest location in a building, called the Best 

Available Refuge Area, get an evaluation by a qualified architect or structural engineer. 

This is the most commonly available protective action for tornadoes.

MINIMAL/INADEQUATE PROTECTION

Some locations do not provide protection from tornadoes, including: manufactured 

(mobile) homes/offices, the open space of open-plan buildings (e.g., malls, big retail 

stores, and gymnasiums), vehicles, and the outdoors.

KNOW THE 

RISK* Frequency of F3 or EF3 

or greater tornadoes

Tornado Activity by County: 1996–2013

4–7

1–3

F2 or EF2 or smaller

No recorded 

tornadoes

*The F-Scale (or Fujita 

Scale) was replaced 

with the EF-Scale (or 

Enhanced Fujita Scale) 

in 2007.
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Having advance notice that a tornado is approaching your area can 

give you the critical time needed to move to a place with better 

protection. Pay attention to weather reports and sign up for text 

alerts and smart phone apps that provide weather warnings. 

It is important to remember that you may not always receive 

an official tornado alert in your area. You may need to use your 

judgment to seek protection when you see or hear a dangerous 

storm advancing. Know the tornado warning signs.

WARNING

SIGNS

1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Tornadoes 101, 

www.noaa.gov/features/protecting/tornados101.html.

TORNADO 

WARNING SIGNS

NWS, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

issues tornado alerts when weather conditions occur that make tornadoes more 

likely. Watches and warnings are science-based predictions that are intended to 

provide adequate time for action. Download the Be Smart. Know Your Alerts 

and Warnings document at www.ready.gov/prepare for a summary of available 

notifications.

NWS issues a tornado watch when weather conditions in an area indicate an 

increased risk for severe weather that may be capable of producing a tornado. 

NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been sighted or indicated 

by weather radar. On average, tornado warnings are issued 13 minutes 

prior to the event,1

 but warning times vary greatly and may be much less.

Occasionally, tornadoes develop without detection, and no official warnings can be 

made before touchdown. Forecasters do their best to predict the path of a storm, 

but not all areas under a tornado warning will experience a tornado. Even if you have 

been through a tornado warning without experiencing any damage, remember that 

tornadoes are unpredictable and you should ALWAYS take immediate action when 

authorities issue a tornado warning.

A rotating, funnel-shaped 

cloud that extends from a 

thunderstorm toward the 

ground may be visible.

A strange quiet occurring 

within or shortly after a 

thunderstorm. The wind 

may die down and the air 

may become very still.

An approaching cloud of 

debris, especially at ground 

level, can mark the location 

of a tornado even if a funnel 

is not visible. 

Debris dropping from 

the sky.

A loud roar that sounds 

similar to a freight train.

A change in the color 

of the sky.

EMERGENCY

NOTIFICATIONS

TORNADO WATCH

TORNADO WARNING
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PROTECT

YOURSELF

BEFORE

A TORNADO

To ensure that you are able to act quickly and get the best 

available protection during a tornado, you need to plan ahead. 

There are steps you can take right now to lower the risk for you 

and your loved ones. Planning and practicing specifically how 

and where you take cover for protection may save your life. 

Know the areas that are prone to frequent and severe tornadoes. Learn 

whether you live, work, or travel through areas that are prone to frequent and 

severe tornadoes. 

Know how to stay informed. Receiving timely information about weather conditions 

or other emergency events can make all the difference in knowing when to take action. 

- Monitor weather reports provided by your local media. 

- Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. 

To find out what alerts are available in your area, do an Internet search with your 

town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.” 

- Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) All Hazards receiver, which 

receives broadcast alerts directly from the NWS. You can purchase these at 

many retail outlets, such as electronics and big box stores, or online. Some NWR 

receivers are designed to work with external notification devices with visual and 

vibrating alerts for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more information on 

NWR receivers, visit www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.htm#programming.

- Think about how you will stay informed if there is a power outage. Have extra 

batteries for a battery-operated radio and your cell phone. Consider having a hand 

crank radio or cell phone charger. 

Know where you would go to have the highest available level of protection 

from a tornado for every place where you spend a lot of time, such as home, 

work, school, or house of worship. Your level of protection from tornadoes 

depends on where you are when the tornado strikes as well as the intensity, size, 

and duration of the tornado. Because you cannot judge the intensity of a tornado in 

advance, you should always seek the highest level of protection available. 

Your plan should include where you will go and how you will get there. If you or 

others you know have young children, elderly family members, family members 

with access or functional needs, service animals, or pets, you should plan now 

to ensure that everyone can get to a protective location. Community shelters are 

required to accommodate people with accessibility needs and service animals, but 

you will need to call the shelter in advance to ask about policies on bringing pets to 

the shelter.

BEST PROTECTION

Most buildings will be destroyed if hit directly by an EF3, EF4, or EF5 tornado, 

and can sustain significant damage from a lower-level tornado. FEMA safe rooms 

and ICC 500 storm shelters are designed to provide “near-absolute” protection 

against even the most extreme tornadoes, and only these safe rooms and storm 

shelters should be labeled “shelters” for tornado protection. These shelters can be 

constructed or installed in a home or small business, or they can be built on a larger 

scale as a community shelter. 

TAKE ACTION NOW!

KNOW
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If your home or small business is in an area prone to frequent and severe tornadoes, 

consider building or installing a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter. In areas 

subject to extreme wind events, those responsible for public safety—including 

building owners, schools, hospitals, and neighborhood associations—should 

consider building accessible community safe rooms. People who live or work in 

structures with inadequate protection, such as mobile homes or buildings with 

long-span roofs, also should discuss the option of building a community safe room 

or shelter. Grants or loans for communities and homeowners may be available to 

support the construction of safe rooms. Communities may consider local legislation 

to require safe rooms in new construction and structural reinforcements for certain 

public buildings.

More information is available in two free FEMA publications:

- Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small 

Business (FEMA P-320, Third Edition, August 2008). www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/2009?id=1536 

- Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms (FEMA P-361, 

Second Edition, August 2008). www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/

documents/3140?id=1657

A copy of the ICC/National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) Standard for the 

Design and Construction of Storm Shelters can be purchased and downloaded from 

this website: http://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-500-2008-icc-nssa-standard-for-thedesign-and-construction-of-storm-shelters-2.html.

MODERATE PROTECTION

Although not specifically designed to protect against tornadoes, there are some 

areas in a sturdy building that may provide moderate protection, depending on 

the intensity of the tornado and how close it comes to your location. In a sturdy 

building, you should plan to go to a small, interior, windowless room, such as 

a closet or bathroom. This room should be on the lowest level of the building, 

underground is best. In a location with moderate protection, you should also plan 

to take additional steps to protect yourself from potential falling or wind-borne 

debris. You should cover yourself with any materials that may provide protection 

from debris, such as cushions, a sleeping bag, or a blanket. Kneel down and bend 

over into a ball, and cover your head and neck with your arms. Never leave a sturdy 

building to try to escape a tornado. These may also be the best available actions for 

buildings with long-spanned roofs.

Commercial property owners and building managers should ask qualified 

architects or structural engineers to identify the Best Available Refuge Area(s) 

in the building for moderate protection, especially for buildings with long-span 

roofs and large, open spaces, and buildings with many occupants. This may 

apply to business owners, landlords, and building managers of schools and 

government buildings. Contact the local building department, or the local chapter 

of a structural engineers association to ask for assistance. The FEMA publication 

Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Area in Buildings (FEMA P-431) presents 

case studies of three schools and guidance for selecting the safest area in existing 

buildings. This publication is available at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/

documents/2246?id=1563. 
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Practice moving quickly to the protective location in the places where you 

spend a lot of time. Plan with others to conduct a tornado drill. Take note of how 

much time it takes to get to your protective location. Warning periods can vary 

significantly, but you should know how long you will need to reach the protective 

area. You will have greater success in getting to a shelter or other protective 

location quickly if you have identified this area beforehand and if you practice 

getting there. Like any drill, if you take the time to practice, you will have a greater 

chance of reacting quickly and appropriately in a real situation. Be sure to consider 

people with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. 

Practice how you will communicate with family members. In a dangerous 

situation, your first thoughts will be the safety of your family and friends. In case 

you are not together when authorities issue a tornado watch or tornado warning, 

practice how you will communicate with each other. Remember that sending texts 

is often faster than making a phone call. Keep important numbers written down in 

your wallet, not just stored in your phone. It is sometimes easier to reach people 

outside your local area during an emergency, so choose an out-of-town contact 

for all family members to call or use social media. Decide where your household 

members will meet after the tornado. Visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan for 

Household Communication Plan templates. 

Practice first aid skills and emergency response actions through training 

classes. In most circumstances, when someone is hurt, a person on the scene 

provides the first assistance, before professional help arrives. Learn and practice 

response skills now so you will know what to do.

- Each year, more than 3 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for 

and respond to emergencies through American Red Cross training classes, 

including first aid, automated external defibrillator (AED), and cardio-pulmonary 

resuscitation (CPR) training. Visit www.redcross.org/take-a-class to find 

PRACTICE

- Research shows that additional personal cover, such as being under a table, 

covering your head and neck with your arms, or covering your body with a blanket 

or coat, is beneficial in locations that are not a FEMA safe room or ICC storm 

shelter. While personal cover is helpful, additional research is needed to validate the 

best type of personal cover in different circumstances. 

- In addition, specific research is needed to examine whether wearing some types 

of helmets may provide additional protection for the head from wind-driven and 

falling debris. If you plan to wear a helmet, make sure to keep your helmet near your 

protective location. You should not take time to find a helmet after authorities have 

issued a tornado warning. Do not remove a helmet from an injured person because this 

could cause further injury. Only trained medical professionals should remove helmets. 

- More research also is needed on the best way to position your body in different 

locations.

RESEARCH NOTE: 

PERSONAL COVER 

AND POSITIONING

MINIMAL/INADEQUATE PROTECTION 

If you spend time in locations that do not offer protection from tornadoes, such as 

manufactured (mobile) homes/offices, the open space of open-plan buildings (e.g., 

malls, big retail stores, and gymnasiums), vehicles, or the outdoors, plan ahead and 

be ready to change your plans during a tornado watch so you will be able to reach a 

different location for protection if needed. 
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classes in your area. Download the American Red Cross First Aid App at

www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app.

- The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program expands the 

emergency response network by providing training in basic response skills to 

community members. CERT Basic Training educates people about disaster 

preparedness for hazards that may affect their area and trains them in basic disaster 

response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, 

and disaster medical operations. Visit www.fema.gov/community-emergencyresponse-teams to find your local program. 

Store the supplies you may need after the tornado passes. Identify the things 

you would need most when you emerge from your protective location to find severe 

damage, no power, and no water. If possible, keep some of these items in your preidentified protective locations at home, work, school, or your place of worship. You 

may need to keep other items in a “Go Bag” or other container to bring with you. 

For a full list of supplies for your emergency supply kit, visit www.ready.gov/builda-kit. Here are some suggestions to consider: 

- Battery-powered or crank-operated flashlight to inspect your home or office after 

the tornado has passed. If using a battery-powered flashlight, turn it on outside the 

building first because the battery could produce a spark and cause a fire if gas is 

present. Include spare batteries.

- Battery-powered or crank-operated radio to listen for emergency updates and 

news reports.

- First aid kit to address minor injuries. 

- Complete change of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work 

gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes. These will protect you from further injury by 

broken glass, exposed nails, or other objects. 

- Whistle or air horn to notify rescuers in case you are trapped by debris resulting 

from the tornado. 

- Dust mask to protect you from inhaling particles and fine debris. 

- Food and water for a day or two; consider specific dietary considerations.

- Your medications and medical supplies.

- If you have children, a special item (e.g., stuffed animal, book, game) to 

provide comfort.

Store the important documents you will need to start your recovery. Review 

your homeowners or renters insurance policy and prepare or update a list of your 

home’s contents by taking pictures or videotaping each room in the house. If your 

home or business sustains significant damage, you will need access to insurance and 

rental or mortgage agreements to file a claim or request assistance from government 

programs. During recovery, you may need access to personal information such as 

medical insurance and prescriptions. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) 

can help you identify the records you will want to keep safe, available at www.ready.

gov/financialpreparedness. Store your records safely. Keep papers in a fireproof, 

waterproof box. If records are stored electronically, keep a backup drive in your 

fireproof, waterproof box or store files using a secure cloud-based service.

STORE
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Discuss what you have done to prepare with your family, friends, 

neighbors, and colleagues. Talking about preparedness with others will help 

you think through your plans. Share information about alerts and warnings and 

encourage others to sign up for notifications. Talking about disasters and helping 

others prepare makes everyone safer.

Discuss with community leaders how your community can reduce risk. Work 

with others in your community to request an evaluation of Best Available Refuge 

Areas in public locations and pursue community investments for FEMA safe 

rooms and ICC 500 storm shelters, especially in areas where frequent and severe 

tornadoes have occurred. For more information on mitigation options to reduce your 

community’s risk, see Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural 

Hazards at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/30627?id=6938.

PROTECT 

YOURSELF

DURING

A TORNADO

During a storm, listen to local news and monitor your alerts 

to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. 

If NWS issues a tornado watch: 

Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio All 

Hazards, local radio, and television weather 

reports and check alert notifications.

Review where you will go for protection 

and discuss with those around you. 

Change your plans, if necessary, to 

make sure you will be able to get to a 

protective location quickly. 

Call anyone you know who may not be 

tuned-in or who may need assistance to 

reach a protective location. 

Charge your cell phone in case the power 

goes out.

If NWS issues a tornado warning or 

if you see a tornado: 

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY! 

If available, go to a FEMA safe room 

or ICC 500 storm shelter

 OR

Go to a small, interior, windowless 

room in a sturdy building on the 

lowest level (underground is best) 

or to a Best Available Refuge Area. 

Take additional personal cover. 

Cover your head and neck with 

your arms and cover your body as 

best you can, e.g., with a coat or a 

blanket.

TORNADO WATCH TORNADO WARNING

DISCUSS

When a warning is issued, and it is not possible to get to a tornado shelter, to a 

sturdy building, or to an identified Best Available Refuge Area, there is no single 

recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect 

your decision. 

With new developments in automotive design, increases in the size and stability 

of newer vehicles, and safety glass, researchers are evaluating the relative minimal 

protection of being in a vehicle versus taking cover outdoors in an area lower than 

the surrounding ground or road level (e.g., a ditch), provided there is no flooding. 

Whether in a vehicle or outdoors, cover your head and neck with your arms and 

cover your body as best you can, with a coat or a blanket if possible. If taking cover 

in a vehicle, put the seatbelt on and try not to be under a freeway, road overpass, or 

trees. Do not attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle.

RESEARCH NOTE: 

VEHICLE OR DITCH
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PROTECT

YOURSELF

AFTER

A TORNADO

Tornadoes can cause death and injury and can destroy or make 

buildings and roads unsafe. Once the tornado has passed and 

the tornado warning is cancelled, use extreme caution. 

- Use extreme care when leaving a building. Do not use matches or lighters inside 

and leave immediately if you smell gas or see spills that could be flammable. Avoid 

debris and sharp objects. 

- If you are trapped, stay where you are and cover your mouth with a cloth or mask 

to avoid breathing dust. Try not to move the debris around you or stir up dust. Send 

a text, if possible, or bang on a pipe or wall or use a whistle instead of shouting so 

that you do not breathe in dust. 

- Do not enter damaged buildings until local authorities tell you that it is safe. 

- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to 911 or the power 

company’s emergency number. 

- Use caution during post-tornado clean-up, including debris removal, chainsaw use, 

and repairs. Wear boots or heavy shoes to protect your feet; injuries from exposed 

nails and debris are common after tornadoes.

- Use local alerts, radios, and other information sources, such as FEMA or American 

Red Cross apps, to get information and advice as soon as it is available. 

- Use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends. 

Telephones and cellular phone systems are often overwhelmed following a disaster, 

so use phones only for emergency calls. 

- Provide first aid, but do not move anyone who is seriously injured unless they are in 

immediate danger of death or further injury. If moving someone is necessary, hold 

the person’s head and neck in the position in which you found them. If an injured 

person is wearing a helmet, do not remove it; this could cause further injury.

- Look for signs of depression or anxiety related to this experience, such as feeling 

physically and mentally drained; having difficulty making decisions or staying 

focused; becoming easily frustrated on a more frequent basis; feeling tired, sad, 

numb, lonely, or worried; or experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns. 

Seek help from local mental health providers if you detect signs in yourself or 

others. 

- Photograph damage to your property and contact your insurance agent. Do what 

you can to prevent further damage (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof) that 

insurance may not cover. 

INSIDE SAFETY

MEDICAL

COMMUNICATIONS

OUTSIDE SAFETY

INSURANCE

CARE FOR 

LOVED ONES
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Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms (FEMA P-361). 

www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3140?id=1657

ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters for 

Purchase. http://shop.iccsafe.org/icc-500-2008-icc-nssa-standard-for-thedesign-and-construction-of-storm-shelters-2.html

Protect Your Property from High Winds.

www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/13270?id=3263

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

Disaster-Specific Resources: Annotated Bibliography.

www.samhsa.gov/dtac/dbhis/dbhis_specific_bib.asp#disaster

www.samhsa.gov/dtac/dbhis/dbhis_specific_bib.asp#tornado

Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small 

Business (FEMA P-320, Third Edition, August 2008). www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/2009?id=1536 

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning...Nature’s Most Violent Storms: 

A Preparedness Guide Including Tornado Safety Information for Schools.

www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/resources/ttl6-10.pdf

Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Area in Buildings (FEMA P-431, Second 

Edition, October 2009). www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/2246

If you would like more information, the following resources may RESOURCES be helpful.