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Submitted URL: http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
Effective URL: https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
Submission: On February 22 via manual from US — Scanned from DE
Effective URL: https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
Submission: On February 22 via manual from US — Scanned from DE
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Skip to main content An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know Here’s how you know * Languages * English * Español Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu * Languages * English * Español * Disasters and Emergencies * All Hazards * Emergency Alerts * Attacks in Public Places * Avalanche * Biohazard Exposure * Cybersecurity * Drought * Earthquakes * Explosions * Extreme Heat * Floods * Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents * Home Fires * Household Chemical Emergencies * Hurricanes * Landslides & Debris Flow * Radiation Emergencies * Pandemic * Power Outages * Severe Weather * Space Weather * Thunderstorms & Lightning * Tornadoes * Tsunamis * Volcanoes * Wildfires * Winter Weather * Recovering from Disaster * Make a Plan * Plan Ahead * Build a Kit * Low and No Cost Preparedness * Financial Preparedness * Get Tech Ready * Individuals with Disabilities * Ready Campus * Pets and Animals * Older Adults * Evacuation * Plan for Locations * Home Fire Escape Plan * Safety Skills * Shelter * Get Involved * Ready Business * Business * Leaders in Business Community Resilience * Program Administration * Planning * Implementation * Emergency Response Plan * Resource Management * Crisis Communications Plan * Business Continuity Plan * Business Continuity Planning Suite * IT Disaster Recovery Plan * Employee Assistance & Support * Incident Management * Training * Testing & Exercises * Testing * Exercises * Program Improvement * Program Reviews * Corrective Action * Business Testimonials * Business Impact Analysis * Hazard Prevention & Deterrence * Risk Assessment * Risk Mitigation * Ready Kids * Resources * Resources * Ready in Your Language * National Preparedness Month * FEMA Mobile App * Social Media Toolkits * Preparedness Messaging Calendar * Order Publications * Social Media Accounts * PSAs and Videos * About Ready * Contact Us * Local Emergency Management Information * About Ready * Contact Us * FAQs Enter Search Term(s): * Disasters and Emergencies * All Hazards * Emergency Alerts * Attacks in Public Places * Avalanche * Biohazard Exposure * Cybersecurity * Drought * Earthquakes * Explosions * Extreme Heat * Floods * Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents * Home Fires * Household Chemical Emergencies * Hurricanes * Landslides & Debris Flow * Radiation Emergencies * Pandemic * Power Outages * Severe Weather * Space Weather * Thunderstorms & Lightning * Tornadoes * Tsunamis * Volcanoes * Wildfires * Winter Weather * Recovering from Disaster * Make a Plan * Get Involved * Ready Business * Ready Kids * Resources TORNADOES * العربية * English * Español * Français * Kreyòl * 日本語 * 한국어 * Русский * Tagalog * Tiếng Việt * 简体中文 Prepare for Tornadoes Stay Safe During Stay Safe After Associated Content Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris. A tornado can: * Happen anytime and anywhere. * Bring intense winds, over 200 miles per hour. * Look like funnels. If you are under a tornado or severe weather warning: * Go to NOAA Weather Radio and your local news or official social media accounts for updated emergency information. Follow the instructions of state, local and tribal officials. * Go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building. * Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. * Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location. * Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death. * Use your arms to protect your head and neck. * If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter. PREPARING FOR A TORNADO Image * Know your area’s tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes. * Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train. * Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone. * Pay attention to weather reports. Meteorologists can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado. * Identify and practice going to a safe shelter such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building. * Plan for your pet. They are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. * Prepare for long-term stay at home or sheltering in place by gathering emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies and medication. STAYING SAFE DURING A TORNADO Image * Immediately go to a safe location that you have identified. * Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions. * Protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms and putting materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you. * Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle if you are in a car. If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot get to a building, cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket, if possible. STAYING SAFE AFTER A TORNADO Save your phone calls for emergencies and use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends. * Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, and local authorities for updated information. * Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines. * Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and continue to shelter in place. * Wear appropriate gear during clean-up such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. ASSOCIATED CONTENT * National Weather Service Tornado Safety * Protective Actions Research for Tornado * Tornado Information Sheet (PDF) * Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House (PDF) * American Red Cross Last Updated: 02/18/2022 Return to top * Disasters and Emergencies * Make a Plan * Get Involved * Ready Business * Ready Kids * Resources Facebook Twitter YouTube Contact Ready Ready.gov An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security * Accessibility * Accountability * Careers * Contact Us * FOIA * Glossary * No FEAR Act * Plug-Ins * Privacy * Report Disaster Fraud * Website Information * DHS.gov * USA.gov * Inspector General This site works best with Javascript enabled. Would you like to take a brief survey regarding your experience with ready.gov?