Disaster Preparedness
What to Do During a Tornado
If you're in this situation right now
When a tornado warning is issued, immediately move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. Cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets to protect against debris. According to NOAA and the National Weather Service, most tornado injuries come from flying debris, making shelter selection your most critical decision.
Updated March 2026 · Reviewed March 2026
When the Warning Sounds
A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or detected on radar in your area. You have minutes, not hours. The National Weather Service is clear: take shelter immediately.
- 1Go to the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Basements are ideal. If no basement, choose a first-floor interior room.
- 2Get to an interior room away from all windows. Bathrooms, closets, and hallways in the center of the building are your best options.
- 3Protect yourself from debris. Get under a heavy table or workbench. Cover your head and neck with your arms, a mattress, or heavy blankets.
Warning vs. Watch
If You're Outside, in a Car, or in a Mobile Home
Your survival strategy depends entirely on where you are when the tornado strikes. Not every location offers the same protection, and some require you to abandon your current shelter entirely.
- In a mobile home: GET OUT. Mobile homes offer almost no protection from tornadoes, even if tied down. NOAA recommends evacuating to a nearby sturdy building or a pre-identified storm shelter. Have a plan before tornado season starts.
- In a car: Do not try to outrun a tornado. Drive to the nearest sturdy building if one is close. If debris is flying, pull over, keep your seatbelt on, duck below the windows, and cover your head.
- Outdoors with no shelter: Lie flat in the nearest ditch or low-lying area. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Stay away from trees, cars, and overpasses.
- Under an overpass: NO. Despite common belief, highway overpasses are extremely dangerous during tornadoes. Wind speeds accelerate through the narrow space, and you are exposed to flying debris.
Never Shelter Under an Overpass
Test Your Response
You are driving home when a tornado warning alert hits your phone. You can see a funnel cloud forming about two miles away. There is an overpass ahead and a gas station with a concrete building just past it.
What do you do?
Choose your answer
Be honest. No one's watching.
After the Tornado Passes
The immediate danger may have passed, but the aftermath carries its own risks. Downed power lines, gas leaks, and unstable structures cause injuries and deaths after the tornado itself is gone.
- 1Check for injuries. Provide first aid if you are trained. Call 911 for serious injuries. Do not move anyone with potential spinal injuries unless they are in immediate danger.
- 2Watch for downed power lines. Treat every downed line as live. Stay at least 35 feet away and report them to your utility company. According to FEMA, electrocution from downed lines is a leading cause of post-tornado deaths.
- 3Do not enter damaged buildings. Structural collapse can occur without warning. Wait for emergency responders to assess the building before going inside.
- 4Document damage for insurance. Photograph everything before moving or cleaning debris. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Smell Gas? Leave Immediately
Spring Tornado Peak Season Preparation
Spring marks peak tornado season across Tornado Alley. Review your family's tornado plan now and ensure everyone knows the safest room in your home.
Updated statistic
The United States averages about 1,000-1,200 tornadoes annually, with peak activity occurring from March through June.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center
Content last reviewed March 22, 2026
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