To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTo protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar with this plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs part of the plan, gather contact information and important documents in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\nContact information: <\/strong>You should record contact information for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nFamily members \u2013 personal cell phones<\/li>\n\n\n\nWorkplaces<\/li>\n\n\n\nSchools<\/li>\n\n\n\nBabysitters<\/li>\n\n\n\nUtility companies<\/li>\n\n\n\nAny other relevant contact details (such as family friends)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nBy recording all of these, you can contact friends, family members, and other important people at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant documents: <\/strong>Your plan should contain copies of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBirth certificates<\/li>\n\n\n\nSocial security cards<\/li>\n\n\n\nInsurance policies<\/li>\n\n\n\nPhotos of your property, for insurance purposes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThese documents will be vital if you need to evacuate the area or file an insurance claim following a tornado.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou should also create multiple evacuation plans, in case you need to leave the area and one route is not accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Build an emergency kit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second step to preparing for a tornado is to make an emergency kit. Emergency kits are helpful in the event you lose power or other utilities, get injured, or become trapped. An emergency kit should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nEnough water and food for at least three days per person<\/li>\n\n\n\nA device for communication (such as a radio)<\/li>\n\n\n\nFirst aid supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\nSpare clothes<\/li>\n\n\n\nFlashlights<\/li>\n\n\n\nBatteries<\/li>\n\n\n\nToiletries<\/li>\n\n\n\nMaps of the local area<\/li>\n\n\n\nMedications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow many supplies you need depends on the size of your family. Be sure to pay extra attention to any special circumstances within your family; any infants, medical conditions, or pets will require extra resources. Take all this into account when preparing your emergency kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Identify shelter areas, or build a safe room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother way to prepare for a tornado and stay safe when a tornado hits is to identify or build a safe place in your home to take shelter. Your shelter area or safe room should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBe on the lowest floor<\/li>\n\n\n\nHave no windows<\/li>\n\n\n\nBe as close to the center of the building as possible<\/li>\n\n\n\nContain your emergency kit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFor these reasons, basements tend to make good shelter areas. If you don\u2019t have a basement, a centrally located bathroom or closet also works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen the tornado hits, you might not be at home, so identify other safe buildings and tornado shelters in the area, too, such as offices, schools, or town halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in building a safe room, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has specific recommendations and criteria to follow. Visit FEMA\u2019s Safe Room FAQ page to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Get in touch with our team.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Do You Categorize Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar with this plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the plan, gather contact information and important documents in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contact information: <\/strong>You should record contact information for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nFamily members \u2013 personal cell phones<\/li>\n\n\n\nWorkplaces<\/li>\n\n\n\nSchools<\/li>\n\n\n\nBabysitters<\/li>\n\n\n\nUtility companies<\/li>\n\n\n\nAny other relevant contact details (such as family friends)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nBy recording all of these, you can contact friends, family members, and other important people at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant documents: <\/strong>Your plan should contain copies of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBirth certificates<\/li>\n\n\n\nSocial security cards<\/li>\n\n\n\nInsurance policies<\/li>\n\n\n\nPhotos of your property, for insurance purposes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThese documents will be vital if you need to evacuate the area or file an insurance claim following a tornado.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou should also create multiple evacuation plans, in case you need to leave the area and one route is not accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Build an emergency kit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second step to preparing for a tornado is to make an emergency kit. Emergency kits are helpful in the event you lose power or other utilities, get injured, or become trapped. An emergency kit should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nEnough water and food for at least three days per person<\/li>\n\n\n\nA device for communication (such as a radio)<\/li>\n\n\n\nFirst aid supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\nSpare clothes<\/li>\n\n\n\nFlashlights<\/li>\n\n\n\nBatteries<\/li>\n\n\n\nToiletries<\/li>\n\n\n\nMaps of the local area<\/li>\n\n\n\nMedications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow many supplies you need depends on the size of your family. Be sure to pay extra attention to any special circumstances within your family; any infants, medical conditions, or pets will require extra resources. Take all this into account when preparing your emergency kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Identify shelter areas, or build a safe room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother way to prepare for a tornado and stay safe when a tornado hits is to identify or build a safe place in your home to take shelter. Your shelter area or safe room should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBe on the lowest floor<\/li>\n\n\n\nHave no windows<\/li>\n\n\n\nBe as close to the center of the building as possible<\/li>\n\n\n\nContain your emergency kit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFor these reasons, basements tend to make good shelter areas. If you don\u2019t have a basement, a centrally located bathroom or closet also works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen the tornado hits, you might not be at home, so identify other safe buildings and tornado shelters in the area, too, such as offices, schools, or town halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in building a safe room, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has specific recommendations and criteria to follow. Visit FEMA\u2019s Safe Room FAQ page to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Get in touch with our team.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Do You Categorize Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BELFOR Property Restoration - USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1249\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"jamie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"jamie\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"jamie\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/117ed84452cef86d7b58b007ed8ca435\"},\"headline\":\"Tornado Preparedness\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1215,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"flood damage\",\"flood damage repair\",\"water damage restoration\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Safety Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\",\"name\":\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/117ed84452cef86d7b58b007ed8ca435\"},\"description\":\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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By recording all of these, you can contact friends, family members, and other important people at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Important documents: <\/strong>Your plan should contain copies of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBirth certificates<\/li>\n\n\n\nSocial security cards<\/li>\n\n\n\nInsurance policies<\/li>\n\n\n\nPhotos of your property, for insurance purposes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThese documents will be vital if you need to evacuate the area or file an insurance claim following a tornado.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou should also create multiple evacuation plans, in case you need to leave the area and one route is not accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Build an emergency kit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second step to preparing for a tornado is to make an emergency kit. Emergency kits are helpful in the event you lose power or other utilities, get injured, or become trapped. An emergency kit should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nEnough water and food for at least three days per person<\/li>\n\n\n\nA device for communication (such as a radio)<\/li>\n\n\n\nFirst aid supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\nSpare clothes<\/li>\n\n\n\nFlashlights<\/li>\n\n\n\nBatteries<\/li>\n\n\n\nToiletries<\/li>\n\n\n\nMaps of the local area<\/li>\n\n\n\nMedications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow many supplies you need depends on the size of your family. Be sure to pay extra attention to any special circumstances within your family; any infants, medical conditions, or pets will require extra resources. Take all this into account when preparing your emergency kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Identify shelter areas, or build a safe room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother way to prepare for a tornado and stay safe when a tornado hits is to identify or build a safe place in your home to take shelter. Your shelter area or safe room should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBe on the lowest floor<\/li>\n\n\n\nHave no windows<\/li>\n\n\n\nBe as close to the center of the building as possible<\/li>\n\n\n\nContain your emergency kit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFor these reasons, basements tend to make good shelter areas. If you don\u2019t have a basement, a centrally located bathroom or closet also works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen the tornado hits, you might not be at home, so identify other safe buildings and tornado shelters in the area, too, such as offices, schools, or town halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in building a safe room, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has specific recommendations and criteria to follow. Visit FEMA\u2019s Safe Room FAQ page to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Get in touch with our team.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Do You Categorize Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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These documents will be vital if you need to evacuate the area or file an insurance claim following a tornado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also create multiple evacuation plans, in case you need to leave the area and one route is not accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Build an emergency kit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second step to preparing for a tornado is to make an emergency kit. Emergency kits are helpful in the event you lose power or other utilities, get injured, or become trapped. An emergency kit should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nEnough water and food for at least three days per person<\/li>\n\n\n\nA device for communication (such as a radio)<\/li>\n\n\n\nFirst aid supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\nSpare clothes<\/li>\n\n\n\nFlashlights<\/li>\n\n\n\nBatteries<\/li>\n\n\n\nToiletries<\/li>\n\n\n\nMaps of the local area<\/li>\n\n\n\nMedications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow many supplies you need depends on the size of your family. Be sure to pay extra attention to any special circumstances within your family; any infants, medical conditions, or pets will require extra resources. Take all this into account when preparing your emergency kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Identify shelter areas, or build a safe room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother way to prepare for a tornado and stay safe when a tornado hits is to identify or build a safe place in your home to take shelter. Your shelter area or safe room should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBe on the lowest floor<\/li>\n\n\n\nHave no windows<\/li>\n\n\n\nBe as close to the center of the building as possible<\/li>\n\n\n\nContain your emergency kit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFor these reasons, basements tend to make good shelter areas. If you don\u2019t have a basement, a centrally located bathroom or closet also works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen the tornado hits, you might not be at home, so identify other safe buildings and tornado shelters in the area, too, such as offices, schools, or town halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in building a safe room, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has specific recommendations and criteria to follow. Visit FEMA\u2019s Safe Room FAQ page to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Get in touch with our team.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Do You Categorize Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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The second step to preparing for a tornado is to make an emergency kit. Emergency kits are helpful in the event you lose power or other utilities, get injured, or become trapped. An emergency kit should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How many supplies you need depends on the size of your family. Be sure to pay extra attention to any special circumstances within your family; any infants, medical conditions, or pets will require extra resources. Take all this into account when preparing your emergency kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Identify shelter areas, or build a safe room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother way to prepare for a tornado and stay safe when a tornado hits is to identify or build a safe place in your home to take shelter. Your shelter area or safe room should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nBe on the lowest floor<\/li>\n\n\n\nHave no windows<\/li>\n\n\n\nBe as close to the center of the building as possible<\/li>\n\n\n\nContain your emergency kit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFor these reasons, basements tend to make good shelter areas. If you don\u2019t have a basement, a centrally located bathroom or closet also works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen the tornado hits, you might not be at home, so identify other safe buildings and tornado shelters in the area, too, such as offices, schools, or town halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in building a safe room, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has specific recommendations and criteria to follow. Visit FEMA\u2019s Safe Room FAQ page to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Get in touch with our team.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Do You Categorize Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BELFOR Property Restoration - USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1249\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"jamie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"jamie\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"jamie\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/117ed84452cef86d7b58b007ed8ca435\"},\"headline\":\"Tornado Preparedness\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1215,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"flood damage\",\"flood damage repair\",\"water damage restoration\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Safety Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\",\"name\":\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/117ed84452cef86d7b58b007ed8ca435\"},\"description\":\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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Another way to prepare for a tornado and stay safe when a tornado hits is to identify or build a safe place in your home to take shelter. Your shelter area or safe room should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For these reasons, basements tend to make good shelter areas. If you don\u2019t have a basement, a centrally located bathroom or closet also works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the tornado hits, you might not be at home, so identify other safe buildings and tornado shelters in the area, too, such as offices, schools, or town halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re interested in building a safe room, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has specific recommendations and criteria to follow. Visit FEMA\u2019s Safe Room FAQ page to learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Get in touch with our team.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Do You Categorize Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BELFOR Property Restoration - USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1249\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"jamie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"jamie\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"jamie\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/117ed84452cef86d7b58b007ed8ca435\"},\"headline\":\"Tornado Preparedness\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1215,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"flood damage\",\"flood damage repair\",\"water damage restoration\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Safety Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/\",\"name\":\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/resources\\\/tornado-preparedness\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/Tornado-Preparedness.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-04T18:59:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T17:54:19+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.belfor.com\\\/us\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/117ed84452cef86d7b58b007ed8ca435\"},\"description\":\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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Tornadoes are categorized using three main scales: The Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the TORRO scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Fujita Scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes as F0, F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5. F0 is the weakest; F5 is the strongest. An F0 tornado means minor damage, such as branches ripped off trees. An F5 tornado lifts houses from their foundations and carries them through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. Get expert safety advice and emergency planning tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/tornado-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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The Enhanced Fujita<\/strong> Scale uses a similar scale to the Fujita Scale \u2013 EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5 \u2013 but it\u2019s designed to provide a better assessment of tornado damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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The TORRO scale<\/strong> ranks tornadoes between 0 and 11. It\u2019s different to the Fujita Scales in that it only uses wind speed to categorize tornadoes, whereas the Fujita Scales take the extent of damage into account as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is Tornado Season? And Which States Get The Most Tornadoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlthough tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To Stay Safe During A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat To Do After A Tornado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEvacuate the immediate area<\/strong> – Don\u2019t return until you\u2019re told it\u2019s safe. This allows emergency services to get to work unimpeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLook for others <\/strong>– See if there are any injured people around you, but don\u2019t put yourself in further danger to search for others. If you find anyone injured, call for help and contact emergency services ASAP.<\/li>\n\n\n\nContact friends and family members<\/strong> – Using the emergency contact list you created as part of your tornado plan, get in touch with family members and friends. Let them know you\u2019re safe, and make sure they are too.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGet the latest updates<\/strong> – Find a radio or TV and tune into local stations to hear the latest updates on safety and weather conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheck your property and understand the hazards<\/strong> – A tornado can damage your property in ways that make it hazardous. Gas leaks, electrical damage, or sewage leaks are all possible. If you notice or suspect any of these hazards after a tornado, contact your utilities company and emergency personnel immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake pictures<\/strong> – Once your home has been deemed safe to return to, take photos of any damage. Documenting the damage caused will be useful when making insurance claims, especially if you have \u201cbefore\u201d photos of the damage as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nRestoring Your Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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The United States uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale to categorize tornadoes. It replaced the Fujita Scale in 2007. Canada adopted the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although tornadoes can hit at any time, the highest concentration typically occurs between March and May. These months are known as \u201ctornado season.\u201d However, this timing shifts based on region. Check out our When is Tornado Season? guide for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tornadoes can also occur anywhere, but some U.S. states are hit more frequently than others, which is why you’ve likely heard about “tornado alley.” For more information about tornado alley, and the newer “dixie alley,” check out our Where is Tornado Alley? guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a tornado hits, head for the lowest floor of the building. Find an interior room \u2013 one that isn\u2019t connected to the front door of the building \u2013 with thick walls and no windows. If there\u2019s a heavy table or desk, it\u2019s a good idea to take shelter under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If possible, look for something to protect your head, such as a helmet. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect it from debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re in a mobile home, it\u2019s best to reach a more secure building. Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes happen in mobile homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t open any windows. There\u2019s a myth that the pressure drop from a tornado can cause a house to explode and opening windows can prevent this. In reality, the pressure drop won\u2019t cause a house to explode, but letting the tornado-force wind inside through the windows can cause the roof to be lifted off your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can\u2019t get into a building in time, move away from trees and cars. Lie down as flat on the ground as you can, and hold onto something secure. If you can, find a ditch or other low ground to lie down in until the tornado passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve helped the injured and checked for immediate dangers on your property, consider getting in touch with your insurer to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there\u2019s significant damage to your property, you could contact a professional disaster recovery or property restoration service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t Find out how we can restore your property.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t \n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSafety Guide on How To Prepare For A Tornado<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for tornado for your home and family. 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be ready for a tornado, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a tornado hits. How To Prepare For A Tornado Step 1: Plan To protect your property, your family, and yourself during a tornado, it\u2019s useful to develop a plan before the tornado hits. Make sure everyone is familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":5012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[112,113,42],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n