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What To Do When A Tornado Warning Is Issued In Your Area

If you live in a high risk area for tornadoes, it is imperative that you have a safety plan in place. However, it’s important to know that tornadoes can happen anytime, anywhere, and sometimes without a lot of warning. Make sure you and your family know what to do when a tornado warning is issued in your area.

Read on for safety tips and advice for when things start to get serious.

How To Be Prepared If There Is A Tornado Warning Issued

When a tornado warning is issued, it means there is no time to waste. Let’s go over what each different warnings mean so you know how best to prepare. 

Listen To Local Radio & TV Stations For Updates

Your local radio and tv stations will be closely monitoring the situation, which means they will also be working in conjunction with people who know weather patterns. Here is a brief overview of your severe weather terms:

Severe thunderstorm watch: This means that the weather is just right for the development of severe thunderstorms in and around the area. These types of storms can produce very strong winds and huge hail.

Severe thunderstorm warning: A warning is different than a watch because it is only when a severe thunderstorm has been observed. It could also have been indicated on radar and is occurring in the warning area. The warnings usually last anywhere from 30-60 minutes.

Tornado watch: This means that the weather conditions are favorable for either the development of severe thunderstorms or multiple tornadoes. This watch is to warn people in the affected area to stay on their guard and get prepared for severe weather.

Tornado warning: A warning is when it gets real. Spotters have seen a tornado or one has been indicated on radar. This means that there IS a tornado in the area you were watching or might be in. This means you should take cover immediately.

We encourage you to bring the radio or local tv station with you in your safe space so you can stay updated during the entire storm and tornado passing.

Get Inside and Find a Safe Place

Once you’re safely inside, go to your designated safe spot. You want to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from glass and other flying objects. Valley Storm Shelters has options to help you feel safe and protected.

Regardless of where you’re hiding out, try to stay as far from windows as possible. Even if the tornado doesn’t hit your area directly, wind or hail could shatter the windows.

The safest place for you to be in a tornado or severe storm is a basement or storm shelter. However, we know that isn’t always available for everyone. If neither is possible, we suggest hunkering down in the innermost room or narrow hallway on the lowest level of your home. The goal is to put as many walls as you can between you and the storm. Typically, if the storm is severe enough to destroy home, the outside walls are torn up but the inner rooms are intact.

Don’t Ride It Out In A Mobile Home or Car

If you are in a car or a mobile home, get out immediately and head inside somewhere safe if you can. Try to find a basement of a sturdy building. 

If you absolutely can’t find shelter inside, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. Even if your mobile home is tied down or on a foundation, it is not as safe as an underground shelter, basement, or even a sturdy building. Most tornadoes can destroy even the mobile homes that seem secure. Don’t play the odds, have a backup plan!

Watch For Changing Weather Conditions

If you’re tuned into a local station, they will be updating you as soon as they can. But also make sure you’re watching for blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado. The wind will be loud, and probably sound like a freight train. Clouds will be swirling in the sky and even if the funnel of a tornado doesn’t form, severe thunderstorms can pose a safety risk.

Consider A Valley Storm Shelter

When a storm hits, you want to be prepared. This means taking action and following safety plans and tips like we laid out above. The absolute best way to start protecting your family is by ordering a tornado shelter from Valley Storm Shelter. We are proud to be the #1 Storm Shelter Provider. Let us show you why we’ve earned that title.

Don’t waste time if you’re worried about severe weather in your area. Contact us if you have any questions. We would love to answer your questions and give you that extra piece of mind.