Severe Weather Checklist

Make sure you’re ready when severe weather hits.

When A Severe Thunderstorm Warning Is Issued

Do not ignore severe thunderstorm warnings! Severe thunderstorm warnings often precede tornado warnings, providing you with extra time to prepare for a dangerous storm. If there’s a severe thunderstorm headed your way, you should monitor it closely, especially if a tornado watch is also in effect.

Move Indoors and Away From Windows:

Again, do not ignore severe thunderstorm warnings. Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging straight-line winds and large hail. It is important to move inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.

Monitor Weather Information Continuously:

Severe thunderstorms can and do produce tornadoes. Whatever method you use to stay up-to-date on severe weather information, make sure you do so. Being aware of what’s going on around you is very important.

When A Tornado Warning Is Issued

Tornado warnings contain information that lists the cities and towns in the path of a tornado. While your National Weather Service strives to provide the most detailed and accurate information possible, there may be occasions when your small town or community is in the path of a dangerous storm, but is not listed in the warning text. This also holds true for television path forecasts. You should be cautious when using detailed forecasts of time and location. Because of the way radar works and how storms behave, these times and locations could be off by several minutes and several miles. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to your tornado shelter.

Move quickly!

Don’t waste valuable time by trying to see the tornado. If you wait until you can see or hear it coming, it may be too late.
Be sure you’re dressed, and don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes!
Take your cell phone, car keys and identification with you.
GET IN, GET DOWN, AND COVER UP!

This is EXTREMELY important. If you are outside, get inside. If you’re already inside, get as far into the middle of the building as possible. Get underground if possible. If you cannot, go to the lowest floor possible. Flying and falling debris are a storm’s number one killer. Use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris.

DO NOT seek shelter under a highway overpass. They are not safe!
DO NOT open doors or windows. This does not help!
DO NOT go outside to find the tornado, even if you think it’s far away!

Here are some additional tips from the National Weather Service to keep you and your family safe during severe weather.