Safety Guides

Safety, by scenario.

Where you are when a tornado warning is issued determines what you should do. Pick the situation that matches your reality — every guide is written for people who might actually need it.

⚠️ This is educational content, not a real-time warning system. During an active tornado warning, follow NOAA Weather Radio and your local National Weather Service. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone.

Primary safety guides

Start here if you haven't read anything else.

The main safety guide
Core principles for tornado safety, regardless of where you are.
How to survive
Every scenario, in one guide. If you read one thing, read this.
Preparation checklist
Family plan, supplies, communication, insurance.
Printable checklist
Post on the fridge. Update once a year.
Emergency kit
Exactly what to put in it. Water, food, radio, medications.
Running a family drill
How to practice, how often, and why kids need to see it.

Where are you?

Location-specific safety — because the right answer depends on where you're standing.

In a basement
Where to position, what to avoid, and why basements aren't automatically safe.
In a mobile home
The highest-risk residential category. What to do — and why the answer is often "leave."
In an apartment
Interior room, lowest floor, away from windows. Details matter.
In a high-rise
Stairwells over elevators. Interior corridors over apartments with windows.
In a car
Why the "underpass myth" is deadly, and what to actually do.
On the highway
Time is critical. Decisions in 30 seconds.
At school
What good school protocols look like. What parents should ask.
At work
Interior offices, stairwells, bathrooms. Employer responsibilities.
In a hospital
How hospitals protect patients — including bed-bound patients.
In a nursing home
Mobility, medication, cognitive impairment. What facilities should have.
At an airport
Interior corridors and restrooms, never jet bridges.
Outdoors
Ditches, ravines, and why you can't outrun a tornado.
Camping
Tents are not shelter. Where to actually go.
RV parks
RVs are not shelter either. Community shelter options.
Mobile home communities
Community shelters, coordination, and advocacy.

Timing & conditions

Nighttime, winter, power outages — the harder cases.

At night
Twice as deadly as daytime. NOAA weather radio is essential.
During a power outage
Battery radios, charged phones, and communication plans.
In winter
Yes. Mayfield 2021 was December. Don't let the season fool you.
Nocturnal tornadoes
The specific risk profile of nighttime events.

Special populations

Children, elderly, disabled, and pets.

Elderly preparedness
Mobility, medication, and medical alerts.
Pets
Include them in the plan. ID, carriers, and post-storm reunification.

Warnings & alerts

Understanding what the alerts mean and how to receive them.

Watch vs Warning
The one distinction everyone needs to know.
Warning vs Emergency
"Tornado Emergency" is the highest alert level. Here's what it means.
Tornado vs Severe T-Storm
Different threats, different response — but both deserve attention.
What warnings sound like
Siren tones, WEA alerts, weather radio SAME codes.
Warning signs in the sky
What to look for. What to trust more than looking (radar).
Enabling WEA
Wireless Emergency Alerts — how to set them up on iPhone and Android.
Weather apps
RadarScope, Storm Shield, WeatherBug — what actually works.
NOAA weather radios
The one device every household in tornado country should own.

After the tornado

Recovery, insurance, mental health, and how to help.

Immediately after
First hours, first days — what to do and what to avoid.
Cleanup
Documentation, contractors, and avoiding scams.
Insurance
Wind deductibles, coverage gaps, and filing claims.
Mental health
PTSD is common. Getting help early matters.
How to help victims
If you want to donate, volunteer, or send supplies — how to do it well.