Know the difference between a tornado watch and warning. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible. A tornado warning means a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon.
- Know your community’s warning system. Many communities use sirens intended for outdoor warning purposes.
- Watch for tornado danger signs: dark and greenish clouds, a wall cloud or cloud of debris.
- Bring your companion animals indoors and maintain direct control of them.
- If you have time, move or secure items outside that can be picked up by wind.
During a tornado warning, go to your safe place immediately.
- Identify a safe place in your home to gather — whether it’s a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- A small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
If you live in a mobile home, find a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. No mobile home is safe in a tornado.
- If you have access to a sturdy shelter or vehicle, go there immediately.
If you’re outside, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.
- If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, immediately get in a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt.
- Stay away from bridges or highway overpasses.
- If strong winds and flying debris occur while driving, pull over and park. Keep on your seat belt and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows, and cover your head with your hands and a blanket.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for real-time weather alerts, open shelters and expert advice on tornadoes.
- The Emergency App includes an “I’m Safe” feature that helps people check on loved ones.
- Search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.