Tornadoes

Watch, warning, emergency

The National Weather Service uses three alerts:

• Tornado Watch. Tornadoes are possible. Review your plan, check your supplies and safe room, and be ready to act quickly.
• Tornado Warning. A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If you're in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter.
• Tornado Emergency. The highest alert. A violent tornado has touched down. Seek refuge immediately.

Before

Ready.gov:

• Tornadoes can bring winds over 200 mph.
• Know the signs: a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train.
• Pick your shelter. The best is a safe room built to FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500. The next best is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• Plan for pets.

During

Go to your safe place right away.

Cover your head and neck with your arms. Put furniture or blankets around or on top of you.

In a car or truck. Ready.gov says there is no safe option, only less dangerous ones:

• If the tornado is visible and far away and traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to it.
• If debris is flying, park out of traffic lanes. Keep your seat belt on, put your head below the windows, and cover your head.
• If you can get noticeably lower than the roadway, leave the car and lie there, covering your head.
• Never shelter under a bridge.

After

• Text instead of calling.
• Stay clear of fallen power lines.
• Wear thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves for cleanup.