Preparedness Checklist

Be Red Cross Ready

Tornado

Preparedness Checklist

A tornado is a tube of spinning air that forms from a thunderstorm and touches

the ground. Tornadoes are dangerous. They can knock down buildings, uproot

trees, move vehicles and destroy things in their path. Heavy rains, lightning,

flash flooding and hail are possible. Tornadoes can happen anywhere. Prepare

now so you can stay safe.

What to Do: Before

Find Shelter Locations from High Winds in

the Places Where you Spend a lot of Time.

• Find a safe room built to withstand high winds.

The next best protection is a small room with no

windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building.

• Mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and

recreational vehicles (RVs) are not safe in high

wind events. Plan ahead by finding a sturdy

building to shelter in before a tornado watch

or warning.

Practice Tornado Drills

• With your entire household, practice moving

quickly to the safe locations that you identified.

• Create a personal support team of people you

may assist and who can assist you.

• If you live in a mobile home, practice going to

a safe place.

Plan to Stay Connected

• Sign up for free emergency alerts from your

local government.

• Plan to monitor local weather and news.

• Have a backup battery or a way to charge your

cell phone.

• Have a battery-powered radio during a

power outage.

• Know the difference between a Tornado Watch

and a Tornado Warning.

-Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! Tornadoes

are possible in and near the watch area.

Be ready to act fast!

-Tornado Warning: Take Action! A tornado is

near. There is danger. Move to safe location

right away.

• You may not always receive a tornado warning.

Know the signs of a tornado. Take shelter if you

feel you are in danger.

Learn Emergency Skills

• Learn First Aid and CPR.

• Be ready to live without power. Utilities may be

offline. Be ready to live without power, gas, and

water. Plan for your electrical needs, including

cell phones and medical equipment. Talk to your

doctor. Plan for backup power.

Gather Emergency Supplies

• Gather food, water and medicine. Stores and

pharmacies might be closed. Organize supplies

into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit.

• Go-Kit: at least three days of supplies that you

can carry with you. Include backup batteries

and chargers for your devices (cell phone,CPAP,

wheelchair, etc.)

• Stay-at-Home Kit: at least two weeks of supplies.

Stores and pharmacies might be closed.

• Have a 1-month supply of medication in a

child-proof container and medical supplies

or equipment.

• Keep personal, financial, and medical records

safe and easy to access (hard copies or

securely backed up). Consider keeping a list of

your medications and dosages on a small card

to carry with you.

Tornado Preparedness Checklist

What to Do: During

Closely Monitor Weather Conditions

• Tune in to radio, TV or other news sources for

more information about Tornado Watches and

Warnings to be ready to take action.

Seek Safe Shelter Immediately

• If a Tornado Warning is issued. Or, if you

suspect a tornado, seek safe shelter right

away. After getting to your safe shelter, use

your arms to protect your head and neck.

What to Do: After

Avoid Injury

• Keep listening to radio, TV or other news

sources. Stay in your shelter until the tornado

warning is over.

• Do not enter damaged buildings.

• If the building you are in has been damaged,

exit with extreme care and stay out. Look

around for things that might fall or dangerous

debris. Do not use matches or lighters inside.

If you smell gas or see spills that could be

flammable, leave immediately.

• If you are trapped, try to cover your mouth

with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust.

Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or

use a whistle instead of shouting.

• Watch out for exposed nails and broken glass.

• Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken

utility lines.

Treat Injuries

• People may be injured. Provide first aid

as needed.

• Do not attempt to move a person with a back

or neck injury unless they are in immediate

danger. Seek immediate medical assistance.

Clean Up Safely

• Be careful during clean-up. Wear thicksoled shoes, long pants and work gloves

to reduce injuries.

• Children should not take part in disaster

cleanup work.

• If power is out, use flashlights or batterypowered lanterns to reduce fire risk.

• Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do not use gasoline, propane, natural gas

or charcoal-burning devices inside a home,

basement, garage, tent or camper — or

even outside near an open window. Carbon

monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it

can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy

or weak, get to fresh air right away —

do not delay.

Take Care of Yourself

• It’s normal to have a lot of bad feelings, stress

or anxiety.

• Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help

you deal with stress.

• You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline

for free if you need to talk to someone. Call or

text 1-800-985-5990.

For more information, visit redcross.org/prepare

Download the Emergency App

Copyright © 2021 by the American National Red Cross. Version 1. Published January 1, 2022.

Hazard and Protective Actions Icons are used courtesy of FEMA and are available at community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/protective-actions-icons