Building a Weather-Ready Nation: Severe Weather In Winter

news image
Special Stories
3 Feb 2021 12:58 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud9-0gkCw0I FROM NWS TORNADO SAFETY GUIDELINES:

PREPARING FOR SEVERE WEATHER AND TORNADOES:

  • Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips.
  • Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.
  • Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get too quickly, such as a church or family member.
  • Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Check more ideas for your family plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
  • Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when tornado warnings are issued. Don't forget pets if time allows.
  • Prepare Your Home: Consider having your safe room reinforced. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
  • Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt.

DURING SEVERE WEATHER:

  • Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
  • At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.
  • At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
  • Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent.  If you have time, get to a safe building.
  • In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

AFTER A TORNADO OR DESTRUCTIVE SEVERE STORM:

  • Stay Informed: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are possible during severe weather outbreaks.
  • Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you're okay so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
  • Assess the Damage: After the threat for tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
  • Help Your Neighbor: If you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until emergency response teams arrive.
Want to learn more about the Weather-Ready Nation program, or how you can become an Ambassador? Click HERE.
All Weather News
More
Severe Weather Chances Continue Through Tuesday

Severe Weather Chances Continue Through Tuesday

Several rounds of severe storms are expected

26 Apr 2026 5:00 PM
Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

Top Image: Brett AdairSeveral strong tornadoe

26 Apr 2026 5:00 PM
West Staying Active this Week

West Staying Active this Week

CALIFORNIA - After the latest system to impac

26 Apr 2026 4:55 PM
Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

Rounds of rain are set to return to the South

26 Apr 2026 4:45 PM
Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Flooding continues to be a serious threat acr

26 Apr 2026 10:40 AM
Tonight's Severe Risk From the Ark-La-Tex to the Lower Mississippi Valley

Tonight's Severe Risk From the Ark-La-Tex to the Lower Mississippi Valley

After a devastating day of tornadoes in Oklah

25 Apr 2026 2:20 AM
Severe Storm Threat Reloads Across Plains with Hail, Wind, and Tornado Risk

Severe Storm Threat Reloads Across Plains with Hail, Wind, and Tornado Risk

The Storm Prediction Center has issued an&nbs

24 Apr 2026 2:30 AM