Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness

Just like a fire, an earthquake or an automobile accident, a tornado is a low probability, high impact event. Chances are, you will never experience a tornado. Even if you live in the heart of tornado alley, the chances that your house will be struck by a tornado are small. However, you need to be ready just in case. Your tornado safety plan is your safety belt, your smoke detector, your plan to survive when dangerous weather threatens.

This website is designed to give you information to help you prepare for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

The severe weather safety guidelines exist because they work most of the time; following these guidelines won't guarantee you won't be hurt or killed, but should improve your chances of being safe.

Click on the links below, or on the left-hand navigation bar, for severe weather safety and preparedness information.

• Climatology: Know what time of day, and what time of year, severe weather is most likely to occur.
• Know The Forecast: Know what is expected to happen, whether or not severe weather is in the forecast, a warning is in effect, etc.
• Planning Ahead: Develop a plan that you can implement if severe weather does occur.
• Staying Safe: Tips and good practices to use when severe weather occurs.

Other Severe Weather Safety Resources

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Lightning Brochure  PDF  Text
Storm Prediction Center Tornado Safety Page
American Red Cross Tornado Information
American Red Cross Thunderstorm Information
NWS Lightning Safety Web Page
Flood Safety Brochure PDF
All NWS Safety Brochures