How to Survive a Tornado

10 Life-Saving Tips on How to Survive a Tornado

Here are ten steps to take before, during, and after a tornado to ensure your and your loved ones’ safety. These expert tips will help you prepare, react, and recover effectively.

1. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a clear plan that includes safe shelter locations, emergency contacts, and a communication strategy.
2. Build an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and essential documents.
3. Stay Informed: Sign up for weather alerts and monitor weather reports regularly to stay updated on potential tornado threats.
4. Identify Safe Shelter Areas: Choose a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of your home as your designated shelter area.
5. Conduct Regular Drills: Practice tornado drills with your family to ensure everyone knows what to do and where to go during a tornado.
6. Protect Yourself Indoors: If a tornado strikes, immediately go to your safe shelter area, crouch down, and cover your head and neck with your arms or a sturdy object.
7. Seek Low Ground Outdoors: If caught outside, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area, covering your head with your arms to protect against flying debris.
8. Avoid Overpasses in Vehicles: Never seek shelter under an overpass; instead, find a low-lying area or stay in your car with your head below the windows.
9. Check for Hazards After the Tornado: Once the tornado has passed, carefully assess your surroundings for dangers such as downed power lines and unstable structures.
10. Communicate and Assist Others: If it is safe to do so, contact loved ones to inform them of your safety and help neighbors and community members in need.

Understanding Tornadoes

What is a Tornado?

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. They can occur anywhere in the world but are most common in the United States, particularly in “Tornado Alley,” which includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Tornadoes vary in size and intensity, with wind speeds ranging from 65 to over 300 miles per hour.

Tornado Formation

Tornadoes form from severe thunderstorms, especially those known as supercells. These storms develop in environments with a strong temperature gradient, with warm, moist air at the surface and cooler, drier air aloft. This setup creates instability and strong wind shear, conditions conducive to the formation of tornadoes. When these conditions are present, a supercell can produce a mesocyclone, a rotating updraft that can lead to the formation of a tornado.

Tornado Classifications

Understanding tornado classifications is crucial for recognizing a tornado’s severity and the potential damage it can cause. Tornadoes are classified using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which rates tornadoes based on the damage they cause to structures and vegetation.

Here are the classifications:

EF0: Weak Tornadoes

• Wind Speeds: 65-85 mph
• Damage: Light damage; broken tree branches, shallow-rooted trees pushed over, minor roof damage.

EF1: Moderate Tornadoes

• Wind Speeds: 86-110 mph
• Damage: There was moderate damage, including mobile homes that were overturned, roofs stripped, windows broken, and exterior doors damaged.

EF2: Strong Tornadoes

• Wind Speeds: 111-135 mph
• Damage: There was considerable damage, including roofs torn off well-constructed homes, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, and cars lifted off the ground.

EF3: Severe Tornadoes

• Wind Speeds: 136-165 mph
• Damage: There was severe damage, including the destruction of entire stories of well-constructed houses, significant structural damage to large buildings, and the debarking of trees.

EF4: Devastating Tornadoes

• Wind Speeds: 166-200 mph
• Damage: Devastating damage; well-constructed houses leveled, cars thrown significant distances, large debris becomes airborne missiles.

EF5: Incredible Tornadoes

• Wind Speeds: Over 200 mph
• Damage: Incredible damage; strong frame houses disintegrated, high-rise buildings have significant structural deformation, incredible phenomena like tree debarking and disintegrating entire neighborhoods.

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale categorizes tornadoes based on their wind speeds and the resulting damage. From weak EF0 tornadoes that cause light damage to incredible EF5 tornadoes that lead to complete destruction, understanding these classifications helps assess the potential impact and necessary precautions for safety.

Preparing for a Tornado

Creating a Tornado Emergency Plan

Preparation is the key to surviving a tornado. Start by developing a comprehensive emergency plan that includes:

• Safe Shelter: Identify a secure place in your home to take cover during a tornado. Ideally, this should be a basement or a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of emergency contacts and ensure everyone in your household knows how to reach them.
• Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan in case family members are separated during a tornado. Agree on a meeting place and use text messages or social media to communicate, as phone lines may be down or overloaded.

Building an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is essential for surviving the aftermath of a tornado.

Your kit should include:

• Water: At least one gallon per person per day for three days.
• Non-perishable Food: A three-day supply of food that doesn’t require cooking.
• First Aid Supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and prescription medications.
• Flashlights and Batteries: In case of power outages.
• Important Documents: Copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank records in a waterproof container.
• Personal Hygiene Items: Soap, hand sanitizer, and sanitary supplies.
• Tools and Supplies: A multi-tool, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and a whistle to signal for help.

Staying Informed

Staying informed about weather conditions is crucial. Regularly check weather reports and sign up for emergency alerts on your phone. A NOAA Weather Radio is a reliable source of information, as it broadcasts continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. Pay attention to watches and warnings:

• Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take immediate action to find safe shelter.

Identifying Safe Shelter Areas

Choosing the Right Location

The location where you choose to shelter can significantly affect your safety during a tornado. The best options include:

• Basement: The safest place in your home is an underground space, such as a basement or storm cellar.
• Interior Rooms: If you don’t have a basement, choose a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor, such as a bathroom or closet.
• Storm Shelters: Consider installing a storm shelter or safe room that meets FEMA standards. These are specially designed to provide near-absolute protection during extreme weather events.

Safe Shelter Guidelines

Ensure your chosen shelter area is well-prepared:

• Reinforcement: Strengthen the walls and roof of your shelter area to withstand high winds and flying debris.
• Stock Supplies: Keep your emergency kit in your shelter area.
• Practice Drills: Conduct regular tornado drills so everyone knows where to go and what to do.

During a Tornado: Immediate Actions

When You’re Indoors

When a tornado warning is issued, act quickly and follow these steps:

• Seek Shelter Immediately: Go to your designated safe room or shelter area.
• Protect Yourself: Shield yourself from debris by using heavy furniture, mattresses, or blankets. If possible, get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
• Stay Low: Crouch down and cover your head and neck with your arms to protect against flying debris.

When You’re Outdoors

If you’re caught outside with no shelter nearby, try to find a low-lying area such as a ditch or depression:

• Find Low Ground: Lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area, covering your head with your arms.
• Cover Your Head: Use your arms or any available object to protect your head and neck.

In a Vehicle

If you’re in a vehicle, your options depend on the circumstances:

• Avoid Overpasses: Do not seek shelter under an overpass, as it can create a wind tunnel effect and increase danger.
• Seek Shelter: If you can safely reach a sturdy building immediately. If not, park the vehicle, stay inside with the seat belt on, and keep your head below the windows, covering yourself with a blanket or jacket if possible.

After the Tornado

Checking for Safety

Once the tornado has passed, it’s important to stay cautious:

• Assess Surroundings: Carefully check your surroundings for hazards like downed power lines, broken gas lines, and unstable structures.
• Avoid Danger Zones: Do not enter damaged buildings until they have been declared safe by authorities.
• Stay Informed: Continue to listen to weather reports and emergency updates.

Communicating with Loved Ones

After ensuring your immediate safety, contact family and friends:

• Use Text or Social Media: Use text or social media to let others know you’re safe, as phone lines may be congested.
• Check on Neighbors: If it’s safe, check on your neighbors, especially older people or those with disabilities.

Helping Others

In the aftermath of a tornado, community support is crucial:

• Assist Neighbors: Help those needing assistance, especially the elderly, injured, or disabled.
• Volunteer: If you can, volunteer with local emergency services or community organizations to aid in recovery efforts.

Tornado Safety Myths Debunked

Understanding tornado myths is crucial for safety. This list debunks common misconceptions about tornadoes, providing accurate information to help you make informed decisions during severe weather events.

• Seek Shelter under an Over-Pass: Stopping under a bridge during a tornado is extremely dangerous due to flying debris, strong winds, and potential structural failure.
• Tornadoes Never Strike Twice: Tornadoes can hit the exact location multiple times, as seen in Cordell, Kansas, and Guy, Arkansas.
• Big Cities and Their Tall Buildings are Protected from Tornadoes: Cities are not immune to tornadoes; many U.S. cities have been directly hit.
• Large Lakes Protect Nearby Areas from Tornadoes: Cold water does not prevent tornadoes; storms driven by larger forces can still produce tornadoes over lakes.
• Mountains, River Valleys, and Large Lakes Inhibit Tornadoes: Tornadoes can cross mountains and large bodies of water, proving these features do not prevent their formation.
• Seeking Shelter in the Southwest Corner of Your Home Will Protect You: Tornadoes can move in any direction, making any basement part equally unsafe.
• Open Windows Before a Tornado Strike to Equalize Pressure Inside the House: Opening windows is dangerous and ineffective, wasting precious time and risking injury.
• Tornadoes Only Occur in the Late Spring and Summer: Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or year, even in winter months in some regions.
• The Shape and Size of the Tornado Determines Its Strength: The visible shape of a tornado does not indicate its strength; only damage assessments and wind measurements can do that.
• Mobile Homes Attract Tornadoes: Mobile homes are more vulnerable to tornado damage, leading to the misconception that they attract tornadoes.

Conclusion on Tornado Survival

Surviving a tornado requires preparation, quick action, and staying informed. These violent storms can form rapidly without warning, leaving little time to react. Following these guidelines can increase your chances of staying safe during these powerful natural events. Preparation involves having a well-thought-out emergency plan, knowing where to seek shelter, and preparing an emergency kit.

Quick action is critical once a tornado warning is issued; immediately move to your designated safe area and protect yourself from debris. Staying informed means regularly checking weather updates and understanding the difference between a tornado watch and a warning.

Remember, knowledge and preparation are your best defenses against tornadoes, ensuring that you and your loved ones are ready to respond swiftly and effectively when a tornado strikes.

Most Damaging Tornadoes in World History

This list highlights some of the most devastating tornadoes in world history, arranged by date from oldest to newest. These tornadoes caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction and had profound impacts on the communities they struck.

• Tri-State Tornado, USA (March 18, 1925): The deadliest tornado in U.S. history, it traveled through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people and destroying thousands of homes.
• Daulatpur-Saturia Tornado, Bangladesh (April 26, 1989): Considered the deadliest tornado in world history, it caused approximately 1,300 deaths and extensive damage to the towns of Daulatpur and Saturia.
• Madarganj to Mrizapur Tornado, Bangladesh (May 13, 1996): Another devastating tornado in Bangladesh, resulting in 700 deaths and leaving thousands homeless.
• Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado, USA (May 3, 1999): This F5 tornado struck Oklahoma, causing 36 deaths, injuring nearly 600 people, and resulting in approximately $1 billion in damages.
• Joplin Tornado, USA (May 22, 2011): One of the deadliest tornadoes in recent U.S. history, it killed 158 people, injured over 1,000, and caused nearly $3 billion in damages.
• El Reno Tornado, USA (May 31, 2013): At 2.6 miles wide, it was the widest tornado ever recorded. It struck Oklahoma, causing eight deaths and extensive damage.
• Moore Tornado, USA (May 20, 2013): An EF5 tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma, killing 24 people and causing over $2 billion in damages.
• Chapeco Tornado, Brazil (April 20, 2015): This rare tornado caused extensive damage to the city of Chapeco, resulting in several deaths and significant property destruction.
• Mymensingh-Tangail Tornado, Bangladesh (April 4, 2016): A severe tornado struck Mymensingh and Tangail districts, causing 40 deaths and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
• Jonesboro Tornado, USA (March 28, 2020): This tornado struck Jonesboro, Arkansas, causing significant damage to the city, injuring 22 people, and leading to millions of dollars in damages.

More Tornado Safety Tips

• Red Cross Tornado Safety Tips
• Staying Safe During a Tornado
• National Weather Service Tornado Safety