NATIONAL 

WEATHER 

SERVICE

TORNADO

SAFETY

FOR YOU AND

YOUR FAMILY

TORNADO

 WATCH VS. WARNING

Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! 

Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch 

area. Review and discuss your emergency 

plans and check supplies and your safe room. 

Be ready to act quickly if NWS issues a warning 

or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting 

early helps save lives!

 Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction 

Center for counties where tornadoes may 

occur. The watch area is typically large, 

covering numerous counties or even states

Tornado Warning: Take Action! 

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by 

weather radar. There is imminent danger to life 

and property. Move to an interior room on the 

lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. 

If you are in a mobile home, a vehicle or 

outdoors, move to the closest substantial 

shelter and cover your head to avoid flying 

debris. Local NWS offices issue warnings. 

Warnings typically encompass a much smaller 

area, around the size of a city or small county. 

Warnings are issues when a tornado is spotted 

on the ground or identified by a forecaster on 

radar.

LEARN MORE

ABOUT TORNADO SAFETY AT:

www.weather.gov/tornado
BEFORE A TORNADO

9 Be Weather Ready: Check the forecast often 

to see if a tornado is coming. Listen to local news 

or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about 

tornado watches and warnings.

9 Sign Up for Notifications: Know how to 

get warnings. Some communities have outdoor 

sirens. Others depend on news and smart 

phones to alert residents of severe storms 

capable of producing tornadoes.

9 Create a Plan: Have a family plan that includes 

an emergency meeting place and shelter spaces. 

Pick a safe room in your home, such as a 

basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the 

lowest floor with no windows.

9 Practice Your Plan: Conduct a drill regularly 

so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is 

approaching. Make sure all family members know 

where to go when a tornado warning is issued. 

Don’t forget pets if time allows. 

9 Prepare Your Home: Consider having your 

safe room reinforced. You can find plans for 

reinforcing an interior room to provide better 

protection at 

weather.gov/tornado/prepare.shtml 

9 Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved 

ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. 

Take CPR training so you can help 

if someone is hurt.

DURING A TORNADO

9 Stay Weather Ready: Continue to listen to local 

news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about 

tornado watches and warnings.

9 At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning area, 

go to your basement, safe room or an interior room 

away from windows. Don’t forget pets if time allows.

9 At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado 

drill and proceed to your tornado shelter quickly and 

calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to 

large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or 

auditoriums.

9 Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building 

immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and 

storage facilities are NOT safe.

9 In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is 

NOT safe. The best course of action is to drive to the 

closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe 

shelter, either get down in your car and cover your 

head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low 

lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

AFTER A TORNADO

9 Stay Informed: Keep listening to local news 

or NOAA Weather Radio for updates about more 

tornado watches and warnings that may be 

coming. The next round of thunderstorms may 

bring more tornadoes.

9 Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: 

Let your family and close friends know you are 

okay so they can help spread the word. Send text 

messages or post updates on social media.

These post are more reliable forms of 

communication than phone calls.

9 Assess the Damage: After the tornado threat 

has ended, check for property damage. When 

walking through storm damage, wear long pants, 

a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. Contact 

utilities if you see power lines down. Stay out 

of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance 

scammers.

9 Help Your Neighbor: If you see someone 

injured, call 911 then, if you are trained, provide 

firstaid until emergency responders arrive.

 For more information, visit

www.weather.gov/tornado

If you don’t have a tornado shelter, stay in an inside room or 

hallway and cover your head. Photo: NOAA

After a tornado, watch out dangerous debris such as sharp 

metal, glass or downed power lines. Photo: NOAA