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Kids Home • You Gotta Have a Plan • Choose Your Emergency • Explore a Little More

Choose Your Emergency

Tornadoes

You'll be much safer during a tornado if you know what to do! Help your family prepare now for these dangerous storms.

What's a kid to do?

There's lots you can do to help keep your family safe.

Keep your ears open! Buy a NOAA Weather Radio, which broadcasts weather alerts.

Know your risk. Research tornadoes on this page and at the library.

Know where to go! When a tornado WARNING is issued, go quickly to a windowless, interior room such as a bathroom, storm cellar, basement or lowest level of the building.

Make a list of items to bring inside if a tornado watch is issued. Don't forget your pet.

Keep your yard tidy. Help your parents trim diseased or damaged limbs from trees and shrubs and remove debris from your yard – these things can cause damage in a tornado's high winds.

Have a plan. Talk to your family members about having a plan if your home is damaged by a tornado. Have an out-of-town family contact in case you must relocate after a disaster.

Don't lose your roof to high winds! Have your parents install strapping to keep the roof attached to the walls.

(Info from the FEMA Kids tornado page)

Fast Facts

What is a tornado? Tornadoes are rotating, funnel-shaped clouds that come from powerful thunderstorms. They cause damage when they touch down on the ground. Severe weather can be very scary and tornadoes are one of nature's most violent storms.

When do tornadoes happen? They can happen at any time of year, but April through October are the most active months for tornadoes in Virginia.

How fast are they? Most tornadoes have winds of 70-100 mph, but the biggest tornadoes have winds of 200-300 mph.

How long do they last? Tornadoes can last from just a few seconds to more than an hour!

Know the lingo ...

If storms or tornadoes are in the area, stay informed by listening to radio, television or a NOAA Weather Radio for the latest tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS. Here's what these terms mean:

TORNADO WATCH – Tornadoes are possible. Stay tuned to the radio or television news.

TORNADO WARNING – A tornado has been sighted. Take shelter immediately!

Know what to do

The most important thing to do during a tornado is to take shelter immediately! Go into a building, stay away from windows and doors, crouch down and clasp your hands over the back of your neck and head to protect them.

Tornadoes come from thunderstorms, so be alert during storms.

If you're in the house:

• Stay away from windows – they may break and send glass flying.
• Go to a basement if you have one and get under a heavy workbench.
• If you don't have a basement, go to the lowest level and get into a bathroom, hall or hall closet that is nearest the center of your house.
• If you can, put a mattress or pillows over your head to protect yourself.

If you're outside:

• Go into a strong nearby building.
• If you're in a car, get out of it and run into a nearby building. Never try to outrun a tornado in a car – tornadoes can move much faster and can pick up and toss a car.
• If you can't get into a building, lie in a ditch. Cover your head with your hands.

If you're in a school or other building:

• Go to a central hall. Crouch down on the floor and cover the back of your head with your hands.
• Stay away from windows, mobile classrooms or rooms with large roofs (like a cafeteria or gym).

If you're in a trailer or mobile home:

• Get out! Trailers are not safe in a tornado. Go to a sturdy building for shelter or lie in a ditch and cover your head with your hands.

(Info from the NOAA kids page)