Tornado warning? Here’s what to do (and not)
GOES Health Team
Tornadoes can happen anywhere and at any time, but because they occur from the same forces that create thunderstorms, more tend to occur in the spring and summer. They can be brief or last for hours, with minor gusts of 65 mph or violent 200+ mph wind speed capable of blowing away buildings.
Tornadoes can develop suddenly, often leaving you less than 15 minutes of warning to take shelter. Make sure you know your tornado risk and safety plan (all of which can be found on GOES 😉).
Know your tornado alerts:
🌪️ A tornado watch means be prepared for tornadoes in the watch area (typically covering several counties or even states).
🌪️ A tornado warning means a tornado has been identified by weather forecasters and you should take shelter (usually covering a city or county).
What to do…
⚠️ As soon as you get a tornado warning alert (GOES will deliver this to you as a push notification), pay attention to it and take shelter immediately.
🏠 When finding a safe tornado shelter, think low, inside, and insulated. Great places to shelter when under the threat of a tornado are:
- Basements (or the lowest floor of a building)
- Hallways
- Closets
Anywhere away from windows and doors. The smaller the room, the better. Large, open rooms (like a gymnasium) have roofs that are at higher risk of collapsing or being lifted up by the wind.
Take shelter indoors. Basements and inside rooms away from windows and doors are good choices. Stay away from tunnels.
…And not to do
❌ No matter how curious you might be, don’t go outside.
🚗 If you’re stuck in your car during a tornado, follow these steps:
- Stop driving
- Keep your seatbelt on
- Duck below the windows
- Cover your head to protect from any broken glass
🌉 One of the most dangerous places to take shelter during a tornado is under a bridge or overpass. The shape of these structures can cause a tunneling effect and actually increase the wind speed from a tornado. Don’t try to climb up the sides of an underpass either – this can expose you to higher winds and more flying debris.
The weather is getting wilder
Recent events have shown the importance of being prepared for tornadoes, even in places that historically haven’t experienced them. At the time of this writing, Wisconsin experienced its first tornado in documented history, two rare tornadoes touched down in Central California and there was a tornado in Colorado, at over 10,000 feet elevation.
All of these unprecedented climate events can have a direct impact on your health and safety. With GOES, you’ll have the latest natural disaster alerts, outdoor health risks, and tips for what to do so you can stay ahead of whatever this weather blows your way.
