Perishable contents should be changed or replaced every six months. For more information on assembling a complete kit and refreshing supplies, contact the American Red Cross for their Disaster Supplies Kit brochure. For a brochure on caring for your pet during a weather emergency, contact your local American Red Cross chapter. Your best defense is to be alert during times of severe weather. However, tornadoes can form any time of the year.
Tornadoes can and do occur in every state in the country.
Tornadoes are generally spawned by thunderstorms, but can occur without the presence of lightning. A tornado may be in close proximity to sunshine, or it may be totally enshrouded in heavy rain. Large hail and tornadoes can be produced by the same thunderstorm. However, many hailstorms are not accompanied by tornadoes, and vice versa. While many tornadoes move from a southwest direction, they can also travel from other directions such as west or northwest.