Tornado Safety from Red Cross

Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

Know the difference!

• A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible.
• A tornado WARNING means a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon. GO TO YOUR SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY.

Where's your safe place?

• Identify a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
• In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. 
• In a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home, however it is configured, is safe in a tornado.

If You Are Outdoors During a Tornado Warning:

• Seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.
• If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, immediately get into a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt.
• Stay away from bridge/highway overpasses.
• If strong winds and flying debris occurs while driving, pull over and park, keeping your seat belt on and engine running. Put your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for safety information and weather alerts.

For more safety information, please visit redcross.org/tornado.