How do you prepare your home for a tornado?
Key Takeaways
Identify a safe, windowless shelter area on the lowest level of your home. Keep an emergency kit with water, food, and safety supplies.
Secure outdoor items and reinforce vulnerable areas of your home.
Plan for potential power outages to reduce disruption during severe weather.
Start by creating a safety plan, identifying a secure shelter location, and taking steps to protect your home.
Preparing helps reduce risk and ensures your household knows exactly what to do if a tornado warning is issued. Here’s what to do:
Identify a Safe Shelter Area: Choose a small, windowless room on the lowest level of your home, such as a basement, interior bathroom, or closet. Avoid areas with windows or exterior walls.
Build an Emergency Kit: Keep essential supplies in your shelter area, including bottled water and nonperishable food, flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, first-aid supplies, and important documents.
Secure Your Property: Bring outdoor furniture, grills, and loose objects indoors to prevent them from becoming airborne. Trim trees and remove weak branches near your home. Reinforcing garage doors and checking roof fasteners can also improve structural resilience.
Prepare for Power Loss: Planning for backup power is an important part of tornado preparedness. A permanently installed standby generator can automatically restore electricity to essential circuits, or your entire home, within seconds of an outage.
Preparing for a tornado means taking steps before storm season begins. A clear emergency plan, secured property, and reliable backup power solution can help protect your home.
