Tornado Safety Guide for Homeowners

Tornado Safety Guide for Homeowners

A tornado warning means a tornado has been observed or indicated by radar. You have seconds to minutes to act. This guide covers the safest actions for the most common shelter situations.

During a Tornado Warning: Shelter Immediately

The moment you receive a tornado warning for your area:

1. Go to the lowest floor of a sturdy building — basement if available.

2. In a basement: Get under a heavy workbench or under the stairs. Cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets if available. Stay away from windows.

3. No basement: Go to an interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or hallway away from windows. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

4. Do not open windows — this is a myth that wastes critical time and does not equalize pressure.

5. Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow.

Mobile Home and Manufactured Home Safety

Mobile homes and manufactured homes — even those tied down — provide inadequate protection from tornado-force winds. Leave immediately when a tornado warning is issued and go to a nearby substantial building.

If no building is available:

  • Do not shelter under bridges or overpasses. They concentrate wind and debris.
  • If caught outdoors with no shelter, lie flat in the lowest ground you can find, away from trees and vehicles. Cover your head and neck.

Vehicle Safety

If a tornado is approaching while you are in a vehicle:

  • Do not try to outrun a tornado — tornadoes can change direction rapidly.
  • Drive at right angles to the tornado’s path if you have time and visibility.
  • If you cannot escape, pull well off the road, put on your seatbelt, keep your head below the window line, and cover your head with your arms.
  • Never shelter under overpasses. The tunnel effect accelerates wind and debris.

After the Tornado

  • Wait for official all-clear from NWS before going outside.
  • Watch for downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural hazards.
  • Use our After-Storm Checklist to inspect and document damage.
  • Photograph all damage before cleanup or repairs for insurance purposes.

Official Resources

*This is an educational guide. FindTheTornado.com does not perform inspections, repairs, or insurance work. Always follow instructions from local emergency management and NWS.*

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