Tornado Safety and Preparation Checklist

Tornadoes can form quickly and cause significant damage with little warning. Knowing how to prepare for a tornado, where to take shelter and what to do after the storm can help you act quickly when severe weather strikes.

Know the signs of a tornado

Deadly tornadoes can occur anywhere with limited warning, so it’s important to be prepared.

Tornado signs to be aware of:

• Dark, greenish sky
• Large hail
• Low-lying clouds, particularly if rotating
• Loud roar, similar to a freight train

Tornado watch vs. tornado warning

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible, so keep checking for news and updates. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar, so seek shelter immediately.

Quick reminders: Be ready before a tornado warning is issued. Identify your safest shelter space, charge your phone and keep an emergency kit ready. 

A summary:

How to prepare for a tornado

The following tips have been compiled from the NWS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help keep you and your home safe and prepared when a tornado is headed your way.

Before the storm:

• Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with shredded bark to reduce risk of damage from wind-borne debris.
• Trim shrubbery and cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house.
• Develop a family communication plan and practice tornado drills.
• Know your community’s warning system.
• Be aware of weather conditions that spawn tornadoes, especially powerful thunderstorms.

When a storm is coming while you’re at home:

• Turn off utilities, especially natural gas or propane, to avoid fire.
• Consider going to your local emergency shelter if it’s safer to do so.
• Park your car in a garage or next to a building to protect it from wind and flying debris.
• Charge your cellphone and have an emergency supply kit ready.

When a storm is coming as you’re driving:

• Drive to the closest shelter, if safe to do so.
• Don’t try to outdrive an oncoming tornado. Pull over, park and stay in the car with your seatbelt on and cover your head.
• If you’re outside with no shelter, get lower than the level of the roadway. Lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
• Don’t seek shelter under an overpass or bridge.

What to do during a tornado

• Stay inside and take cover, ideally in a basement, cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from doors and windows. Getting to the lowest, most protected part of the building is the priority.
• Keep windows closed and doors shut.
• Place infants and young children in car seats, even when indoors.
• Leash your pets or place them in a carrier and keep them with you.
• Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Need more info? For broader severe weather planning, you can also review our storm toolkit and tips for power outages.

What to do after a tornado

• Monitor local news and weather before you head outside, and if you’re not at home, return home only when authorities say it’s safe. Confirm the area is safe before inspecting damage.
• Stay clear of downed wires and evacuate the area immediately if you smell gas.
• Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Text or use social media to communicate if it's not an emergency.
• If you are trapped, cover your mouth with a cloth to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle first instead of shouting.
• Wear thick-soled shoes, long pants, work gloves and use a flashlight (not candles, in case of gas leak) during cleanup.
• Take pictures of any damage for insurance claims. If you need help with next steps, learn how to file a claim.

Does insurance cover tornado damage?

The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that the U.S. experiences more tornadoes than any other country – about 1,000 in any given year. Typically your homeowners, condo, renters, or auto insurance will cover corresponding damage from a tornado.

Tornado damage for homeowners

The damages that result from a tornado, mostly likely as a result of the intensely strong winds, hail and lightning, are typically covered under your home insurance policy. However, any flood damage wouldn’t be covered by your standard homeowners policy. For total peace of mind, consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy to keep you better protected.

Tornado damage for condos and renters

Like homeowners policies, condo and renters insurance policies typically provide coverage for damage caused by the high winds and hail related to a tornado. The difference is in the type of property covered by these policies.

The property covered by a condo policy depends on the condo association bylaws. The bylaws will describe which property is your responsibility and which property is covered by the condo’s master insurance policy. Your condo insurance applies to portions of the structure that you’re responsible for in addition to your personal property. For more information on what’s covered, you can reach out to your condo association or contact our representatives to discuss your individual unit’s policy.

Renters policies, on the other hand, provide coverage for your personal property when damage is caused by a covered peril such as wind or hail. A renters policy doesn’t cover the structure, as you’re not an owner of the property itself. Learn more about renters insurance and what renters insurance covers.

Tornado damage for cars

Most damage to your car due to a tornado would be covered under your auto insurance policy if you opted to purchase comprehensive (other than collision) coverage. Comprehensive coverage provides protection for damage from natural events, such as wind, hail, lightning, falling objects or debris, and flooding. Read more about comprehensive coverage and whether car insurance covers flood damage.