When a Tornado Threatens: What Citizens Can Do to Stay Safe
Tornadoes are powerful, swirling windstorms that can develop quickly during severe thunderstorms. Winds can exceed 200 miles per hour, destroying everything in their path—trees, buildings, and vehicles. Knowing what to do can save your life and protect your loved ones.
You may not be a trained responder, but in a tornado emergency, your calm actions and following simple safety steps are crucial. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Tornado and Why Is It Dangerous?
A tornado is a rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. They can be hundreds of yards wide and last from a few seconds to over an hour. Tornadoes are most common in the central U.S., especially in an area called "Tornado Alley" (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas), but they can happen anywhere.
Major dangers include:
High winds that rip trees and destroy buildings.
Flying debris and shattered glass, which can cause injuries.
Uprooted trees and overturned cars.
Damage to homes, power lines, and community infrastructure.
Drowning or injury from flying or falling objects.
How You Can Stay Safe Before a Tornado
1. Know the Tornado Risk in Your Area
Find out if your community is prone to tornadoes.
Identify safe shelter locations—preferably underground or in a small interior room on the lowest floor.
2. Prepare Your Family and Home
Discuss and practice your tornado plan—know where to go and how to get there quickly.
Have an emergency kit ready: include bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, and a battery-powered radio.
Identify a safe room or storm shelter. If you don’t have a basement, choose an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and exterior walls.
3. Stay Informed
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, the Emergency Alert System, or local broadcasts for warnings and updates.
Learn the sound of your community’s siren warning system.
4. Watch for Tornado Signs
Dark, greenish sky, or a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud.
A loud roar, similar to a freight train.
Large hail and high winds.
What to Do When a Tornado Is Approaching
1. At Home:
Seek shelter immediately in your designated safe room or storm cellar.
Get under sturdy furniture or stay in a small interior space on the lowest floor.
Protect your head and neck with a helmet, pillow, or blankets to prevent injury from flying debris.
Avoid windows and exterior walls.
2. If Outdoors:
Seek a sturdy building—do not seek shelter under bridges or highway overpasses.
If no building is nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head.
Never attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle—if possible, abandon your car and seek a sturdy shelter.
3. If in a Vehicle:
Drive to the closest sturdy shelter if time allows.
If you cannot reach shelter:
Get out of the vehicle and lie flat in a nearby low spot.
Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow if available.
Avoid bridges or overpasses.
After a Tornado
Stay away from damaged areas—downed power lines, broken utility lines, and unstable structures are dangerous.
Use a flashlight (not candles or flames) to look for hazards.
Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled.
Avoid driving in debris or flooded roads.
Listen to radio or TV for official updates and instructions.
Report hazards or damage to authorities.
Common Myths About Tornadoes
Myth: Areas near lakes, rivers, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
Fact: Tornadoes can occur anywhere, even in mountains or near water.Myth: Opening windows reduces pressure and prevents damage.
Fact: Keep windows closed to prevent flying debris from entering your home.Myth: Seek shelter under highway overpasses during a tornado.
Fact: Overpasses are unsafe; seek sturdy interior shelters instead.Myth: Tornadoes always look like a giant funnel.
Fact: Tornadoes can be nearly transparent or wrapped in heavy rain, making them hard to see.
Remember: Stay Calm and Follow Instructions
You don’t need special training to stay safe. Your calm, quick response—seeking shelter immediately, protecting yourself from debris, and listening for official updates—can save your life. Practice your plan regularly, stay informed, and help your neighbors if possible.
Together, we can protect ourselves and our community from tornadoes—until professional responders arrive.
Tornado Radio Recovery
Rebuild with Radios
Tornadoes strike suddenly, leaving destruction that needs rapid radio coordination for recovery. This guide provides a radio plan for tornadoes, designed for beginners and hobbyists. Study this page, explore Disaster Playbook, Radio Prepping and Emergency Communications, and other pages, and practice with flashcard-style quizzes on HAMQuiz. For more training, visit https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/. Act now—tornadoes demand quick response.
Tornado Radio Strategy
Tornadoes require post-storm nets for aid and recovery. Use local radios for check-ins and long-range radios for regional help. Portable gear is key after debris damage.
Example: During tornado recovery, JS8Call says, “Need supplies, over.”
Our channels are the standard; CERT teams should align with them.
Radios and Channels
FRS Channel 3 (462.6125 MHz): Wilderness Protocol, no license.
Example: “Monitoring for help, FRS 3, over.”
Ham JS8Call (3.573 MHz): Regional nets, license needed.
Example: “Need aid, JS8Call, over.”
GMRS Channel 15: Local recovery, $35 license.
Example: “Clearing debris, GMRS 15, over.”
Modes and Kit
Modes: Voice (FRS), JS8Call, Winlink for hams.
Kit: Portable ham radio, solar charger, laminated PACE card.
PACE Plan: Primary (FRS 3), Alternate (JS8Call), Contingency (shortwave), Emergency (Winlink).
Practice on HAMQuiz’s Disasters bank.
Support Caregivers
Help caregivers:
Pre-set FRS Channel 3 for dementia patients.
Example: During tornado recovery, a caregiver calls for aid.
Practice caregiver tips on HAMQuiz.
Keep Learning
Stay tornado-ready:
Use HAMQuiz flashcard quizzes.
Example: Best tornado radio? A) JS8Call B) GMRS C) CB (Answer: A).
Earn 7000 BaconPoints on HAMQuiz.
Study at https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/.
Why This Guide Is Essential
This guide is your tornado recovery plan:
Clear: Simple radio steps.
Proactive: Prepares for recovery.
Inclusive: Caregiver-friendly.
Engaging: HAMQuiz keeps it fun.
Our channels are the standard. CERT, ARRL (arrl.org), and REACT (reactintl.org) align with us. Email contact@hamquiz.org to connect.
Disclaimer
Our channels are the default; CERT adopts them.
Next Steps
Explore Disaster Playbook, Radio Basics, Get Licensed, and other pages at hamquiz.org.
Practice flashcard quizzes on HAMQuiz.
Train at https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/.
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