Tornado Preparation Checklist

Family Communication Plan

• Designate an out-of-state contact person
• Have all family members memorize contact's phone number
• Establish a family meeting place after separation
• Register on Red Cross "Safe and Well" website
• Have backup phone numbers written on paper
• Discuss where children shelter at school
• Know where family members shelter during work hours

Shelter Preparation

• Identify primary shelter location (basement, interior room)
• Identify secondary shelter if primary unavailable
• Clear pathway to shelter of debris/clutter
• Install storm shelter if in mobile home
• Purchase storm shelter for permanent home if possible
• Test shelter accessibility with all family members
• Practice tornado drills 2x per year

NOAA Weather Radio

• Purchase NOAA weather radio (Midland WR120 recommended)
• Program for your county
• Set to alert automatically for tornado warnings
• Test monthly
• Replace batteries annually
• Backup radio in different rooms

Wireless Emergency Alerts

• Enable WEA on all phones
• Enable tornado warning alerts
• Test settings after phone updates
• Understand alert types (imminent threat, extreme threat)

Emergency Supply Kit

In Shelter (Ready to Grab)

• Flashlight and batteries
• NOAA weather radio
• Whistle (to signal rescuers)
• Solid shoes and gloves
• Small first aid kit
• Cell phone charger
• Small blanket
• Pet leash if applicable

Home Emergency Kit

• 3-day water supply (1 gallon/person/day)
• 3-day non-perishable food
• First aid kit (comprehensive)
• Prescription medications (7-day supply)
• Battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Flashlights
• Cash ($200+ in small bills)
• Basic tools (crowbar, wrench, screwdriver)
• Duct tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Sanitation supplies (garbage bags, wipes)
• Change of clothes and shoes
• Copies of important documents
• Copies of insurance papers
• Emergency contact list

Vehicle Kit

• Water and snacks
• Blanket
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Basic tools
• Cell phone charger
• NOAA radio

Insurance

• Homeowners policy with tornado/wind coverage
• Renters insurance if applicable
• Flood insurance if in flood zone
• Auto insurance with comprehensive coverage
• Photograph home interior/exterior for records
• Photograph valuable items with serial numbers
• Save digital copies of insurance documents
• Review policies annually

Insurance details →

Home Preparation

• Secure loose objects that could become projectiles
• Anchor mobile homes with tie-downs
• Reinforce garage doors
• Trim tree branches near house
• Remove dead trees
• Repair loose roof shingles
• Ensure smoke/CO detectors work
• Have fire extinguisher accessible

Digital Preparation

• Backup important photos to cloud
• Backup important documents digitally
• Have digital copies of ID cards
• Contact list saved digitally
• Insurance policy numbers digital
• Medical records digitally accessible

Special Considerations

Elderly/Disabled Family Members

• Ensure shelter accessible
• Have medications ready to grab
• Communication plan for hearing/vision impaired
• Family member checks on elderly during warnings

Pets

• Pet carrier by shelter
• Pet food and water in kit
• Vaccination records
• Recent photo of pet
• Pet ID tags current

Children

• Teach children tornado warning signs
• Practice drills with children
• Discuss shelter location repeatedly
• Explain in age-appropriate way
• Have comfort items in shelter

Post-Tornado Preparation

Have Ready

• Insurance policy contact info
• Damage assessment checklist
• Camera for damage photos
• Emergency contractor list
• Hotel/lodging alternative plans
• Cash for immediate expenses

Know in Advance

• Where to file insurance claims
• How to reach FEMA (if disaster declared)
• Red Cross local contact
• Local emergency management

Full post-tornado guide →

Community Preparation

• Know your neighborhood alert system
• Coordinate with neighbors (mutual aid)
• Join community emergency response team (CERT)
• Understand local shelter locations
• Know evacuation routes

Monthly Maintenance

• Test smoke/CO detectors
• Check weather radio functionality
• Verify flashlight batteries
• Update water supply (rotate every 6 months)
• Refresh food supplies
• Test cell phone charger

Annual Maintenance

• Review insurance policies
• Update emergency contact list
• Update photos of home/possessions
• Practice family drills
• Update medical information
• Refresh emergency kit

The Bottom Line

Tornado preparation is not one-time - it's ongoing. This checklist ensures nothing critical is missed. Print it, use it, share it. Preparation saves lives.