Tornado Preparedness Basics: What to Do Before, During, and After

Tornadoes give you almost no warning. When conditions line up, you may have minutes—or less—to act. This guide keeps it simple: where to shelter, what to prepare, and which decisions matter most when survival comes down to seconds.

If you’re building a safe room for this exact scenario, read Safe Room Basics.

1. Know the Warning Signs

Weather alerts are your main warning, but tornado conditions also show up physically:

• Greenish or yellow sky
• Large, low rotating clouds
• Debris whipping around before you see a funnel
• Loud roaring sound (freight train effect)

If your phone alerts or weather radio activate, don’t ignore them—move immediately.

2. Choose the Right Shelter

The safest options, in order:

• Basement or storm cellar
• Interior room on the lowest floor
• Small, windowless room (bathroom, closet)
• Interior hallway with solid walls

Avoid exterior walls, windows, large rooms, and mobile homes. If you’re in a mobile home, leave for a safer structure before the storm arrives.

3. Shelter Supplies You Should Have Ready

• Flashlight or lantern
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Closed-toe shoes (for debris after the storm)
• Helmet or hard hat to protect your head
• Water and basic snacks
• First aid kit

Build this using the basics from your Home Emergency Kit.

4. During the Tornado

The moment you take shelter:

• Get low and cover your head and neck
• Put kids and pets against interior walls
• Use mattresses, helmets, or cushions for extra protection
• Stay in place until official all-clear alerts

Don’t leave shelter early just because the noise stops—tornadoes change direction fast.

5. If You’re Caught in a Vehicle

Vehicles are terrible tornado shelters. If you can’t reach a building:

• Do NOT try to outrun a tornado unless you’re already far away from it
• Get into a low ditch and lie flat, hands over your head
• Never shelter under an overpass—wind speeds increase there

6. After the Tornado

Once the storm passes, hazards remain:

• Downed power lines
• Gas leaks
• Sharp debris
• Unstable structures

This is why those closed-toe shoes and flashlights matter—many injuries happen after the tornado, not during it.

7. Reconnect and Communicate

Use:

• Radios for updates
• Text messages instead of calls (networks jam)
• Local emergency broadcasts

For stronger communication planning, see Communication During Emergencies.

8. The Bottom Line

Tornado survival is all about speed and location. Know your shelter, practice getting to it, stock a small set of essentials, and take alerts seriously. When the warning hits, you don’t hesitate—you move.