Tornado Warning

Danger Signs

• An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
• Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
• Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

Where to Take Shelter

Single Family Homes

• The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement, under something sturdy, like a workbench.
• If there is no basement, seek shelter in the middle of the building on the lowest level, in a small interior room, like a closet or bathroom, away from outside walls and windows.

In An Automobile

• If you see a funnel cloud, or hear a Tornado Warning issued for your area on the radio or by siren, do not try to outrun the tornado, the path and speed of a tornado is unpredictable.
• Get out of your vehicle and seek a safe structure, or lie down in a low area (a ditch or ravine) with your hands covering the back of your head and neck.

At Work or School

• Be aware of emergency shelter plans in office buildings and schools you and your family frequent.
• If a specific shelter area does not exist, move into interior hallways or small rooms on the building's lowest level.
• Avoid areas with glass.

At A Store or Shopping Mall

• If you can't get into a basement or designated shelter, move to the center of the lowest level of the building, away from windows, and lie flat.