Tornadoes: Stay Informed

Stay Informed

Pay attention to weather announcements during severe thunderstorms.
Listen to weather-alert radios to stay informed of tornado watches and warnings.
Also monitor commercial radio, television and the Internet.
Keep in mind that after a hurricane, it could be hours, or even days, before emergency personnel are able to reach you.

Statewide Tornado Drill Media Kit

Public Service Announcements
- English scripts
- Spanish scripts
News Release
Governor’s Proclamation
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Public Service Announcements

English scripts

:15 PSA – Tornado Watch/Warning

Know the difference between a tornado WATCH and a tornado WARNING. A WATCH means tornadoes are possible. A WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and could be headed your way. If you’re indoors, take cover in a hallway at the lowest level or in a basement.

:15 PSA – Tornado Home Safety

If you’re at home and a tornado WARNING is issued for your area, move quickly to your basement and take cover under a stairway or sturdy furniture. If you don’t have a basement, take shelter inside a first floor room near the center of your home and stay away from windows or glass doors.

:15 PSA – Tornado Vehicle/Mobile Home safety

The most dangerous place to be during a tornado is inside a car or mobile home. Tornadoes can easily lift a car or mobile home off the ground. When a tornado WARNING is issued for your area, immediately take shelter inside a nearby study building.

:30 PSA – Virginia Tornadoes

If a tornado WARNING is issued for your area, you may only have a few seconds to get to safety. Take cover inside a basement or first-floor room in the center of a sturdy building. One of the most dangerous places to be during a tornado is inside a car or mobile home. If you can’t get to a building in time, lie in a ditch or low area. For more tornado safety information, go to ReadyVirginia.gov.

:30 PSA – Tornado Warning Houses & Mobile Homes

A tornado WARNING is issued when a tornado has been sighted in your area. If you’re at home and a tornado WARNING has been issued, take shelter in your basement or in a first-floor room near the center of your house. If you’re in a mobile home, go immediately to a building with a solid foundation. Tornadoes can cause severe damage to mobile homes. Taking shelter inside a nearby sturdy building could save your life. For more on tornado safety, visit vaemergency.com

:30 PSA – Tornado Warning If You are Driving

One of the most dangerous places to be during a tornado is inside a car. If a tornado WARNING is issued for your area, immediately take shelter inside a nearby sturdy building. If there’s no time to get indoors, or there are no buildings nearby, lie in a ditch or low area away from your vehicle. Bridges and overpasses won’t protect you because flying debris can get blown under them. For more tornado safety information, go to ReadyVirginia.gov.

:30 PSA – Tornadoes and Work or School

Tornadoes often occur when we’re at work or school. If a tornado WARNING is issued for your area, go to the basement, stairwell or inside hallway at the lowest level you can safely reach. Stay away from windows. Get under sturdy furniture such as a heavy table or desk. If you’re outdoors and a tornado is approaching, get inside a study building right away or lie in a ditch or low area and cover you head. For more on tornado safety, visit vaemergency.com.

Spanish scripts

:30 PSA – Advertencia de Tornado/Aviso de Tornado

Sepa qué significa una ADVERTENCIA y un AVISO de tornado - Podría salvar vida. Una ADVERTENCIA de tornado significa que podrían haber tornados. Un AVISO de tornado significa que se ha observado un tornado y que puede estar dirigiéndose hacia su área. Si usted está dentro de su casa, vaya al sótano. Si no tienes un sótano, ve el vestibulo a corredor central, la sala de baño o un clóset en la planta baja.

:30 PSA – Tornados, el Carro del Seguridad

No se pueden en su carro o la casa rodante durante un tornado. Porque estos no son seguros el aire puede moverlos fácilmente. Si un tornado está acercarse y está en un automóvil o en una casa rodante, salga inmediatamente y vaya un edificio seguro. Si no hay uno, tiéndase en el suelo en alguna zanja o en un terreno bajo.

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