American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety

Tornado Safety Checklist

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.  Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest).  They are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles.  Although severe tornadoes are more common in the Plains States, tornadoes have been reported in every state. 

What should I do to prepare for a tornado?

• During any storm, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about watches and warnings.

• Know your community's warming system.  Communities have different ways of warning residents about tornadoes, with many having sirens intended for outdoor warning purposes.

• Pick a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado.  This should be a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

• Practice periodic tornado drills so that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching.

• Consider having your safe room reinforced.  Plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection can be found on the FEMA Web site at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/runs/rmsp453.shtm.

• Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged limbs from trees.

• Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile.

• Watch for tornado danger signs:  1. Dark, often greenish clouds - a phenomenon caused by hail.  2. Wall cloud - an isolated lowering of the base of a thunderstorm.  3.Cloud of debris.  4. Large hail  5. Funnel cloud - a visible rotating extension of the cloud base.  6. Roaring noise.

What should I do if a tornado is threatening?                 

• The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
• If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
• Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds.
• Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home.
• If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home immediately.
• Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately, using your seat belt if driving.
• Do not wait until you see the tornado.
• If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.  If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter:
• Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
• If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park.  Now you have the following options as a last resort:
• Stay in the car with the seat belt on.  Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
• If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
• Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances. 

What do I do after a tornado?

• Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
• If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.
• Stay out of damaged buildings.
• Use batter-powered flashlights when examining buildings - do NOT use candles.
• If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly and call the gas company or fire department.
• Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Keep all of your animals under your direct control.
• Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard.
• Check for injuries.  If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive.

Q. What is the difference between a  tornado and a funnel cloud? 

A. A funnel cloud is also a column of violently rotating winds extending down from a thunderstorm, however, it does not touch the earth.

Q. How many tornadoes usually occur in Michigan every year? 

A. An average of 18 tornadoes occur in Michigan each year. Since 1950, 239 persons have been killed due to tornadoes. During this same time, Michigan has experienced 772 tornadoes.

Q. When do tornadoes generally occur? 

A. Most tornadoes occur during the months of June, July and August in the late afternoon and evening hours. However, tornadoes can occur anytime of the day or night in almost any month during the year.

Q. How fast do tornadoes travel? 

A. Tornadoes generally travel from the southwest and at an average speed of 30 miles per hour. However, some tornadoes have very erratic paths, with speeds approaching 70 mph.

Q. How do I find out about a warning if my electricity is already out? 

A. In some areas, civil sirens will be your first official warning. However, you may also receive weather warnings directly from the National Weather Service broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio, as long as you have a model with a battery backup.

Let your family know you are safe

If your community experiences a tornado, or any disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site available through RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare.  If you don't have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.