Before a Tornado

Be alert to changing weather conditions.

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information.

• Look for approaching storms.

• Look for the following danger signs:

  • Dark, often greenish sky

  • Large hail

  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)

  • Loud roar, similar to a freight train.

   

During a Tornado

If you are under a tornado WARNING, seek shelter immediately!

If you are in:	Then:
A structure (e.g. residence, small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, high-rise building)	Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.
A vehicle, trailer, or mobile home	Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
The outside with no shelter	Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

 

Tornado Scale
	WINDS	CHARACTER OF DAMAGE	RELATIVE FREQUENCY
F0 (weak)	40-72 mph	LIGHT DAMAGE: Some damage to chimneys, TV antennas, roof shingles displaced. Small branches broken on trees.	29%
F1 (weak)	73-112 mph	MODERATE DAMAGE: Roof decking removed, carports overturned, some trees uprooted, automobiles overturned. Unanchored homes sliding.	40%
F2 (strong)	113-157 mph	CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE: Roofs blown off homes leaving strong walls standing. Sheds and other outbuildings demolished, unanchored mobile homes overturned, block structure walls collapsed, roofs peeled back. Small wood missiles observed.	24%
F3 (strong)	158-206 mph	SEVERE DAMAGE: Exterior walls and roofs blown off homes. Metal buildings collapsed or are severely damaged. Forests are flattened. Most block structures collapsed.	6%
F4 (violent)	207-260 mph	DEVASTATING DAMAGE: Few walls, if any, standing in well-built homes. Pile of debris on foundation, large steel and concrete missiles thrown far distances.	2%
F5 (violent)	261-318 mph	(RARE) INCREDIBLE DAMAGE: Homes on slabs levelled with debris removed. Schools, motels and other marginally engineered buildings have considerable damage with exterior walls and roofs gone. Top stories demolished.	less than 1%