Printable Tornado Safety Checklist

Family Information Section

Household Information

Complete for each household member:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Medical conditions
• Medications
• Allergies
• Contact information
• Emergency contact

Pets

• Pet names and types
• Vaccination status
• Medications
• Vet contact information
• Microchip information

Emergency Contacts

Family Contacts

List for each family member:

• Family members' phone numbers
• Emergency contacts
• Out-of-state contact (recommended)
• Neighbors
• Friends

Emergency Services

• 911 (or local emergency)
• Local police non-emergency
• Local fire department
• Local hospital
• Poison control
• Utility company

Insurance Information

• Homeowners insurance company
• Homeowners policy number
• Homeowners agent
• Auto insurance
• Health insurance

Shelter Plan

Primary Shelter Location

Identify your primary tornado shelter:

• Basement (if available)
• Storm shelter (if available)
• Interior room (bathroom, closet, hallway)
• Away from windows
• Lowest floor

Secondary Shelter Options

• Neighbor's home
• Community shelter
• Nearby sturdy building
• Emergency location

Special Considerations

• Elderly members' location
• Disabled members' access
• Pet placement
• Medication accessibility

Communication Plan

During Storm

• NOAA weather radio
• Cell phones charged
• Battery-powered radio
• Emergency communication devices

Meeting Places

• Primary meeting place
• Secondary meeting place
• Distant meeting place
• Out-of-town family

Emergency Contact System

• Out-of-state contact (call this person)
• Everyone knows contact info
• Text over calls
• Social media notification
• Red Cross Safe and Well

Emergency Supplies

In Shelter (Ready to Grab)

• NOAA weather radio
• Flashlight and batteries
• Cell phone charger
• Family plan document
• Whistle
• First aid kit
• Sturdy shoes
• Water bottles
• Comfort items (blanket)

Home Emergency Kit

• 3-day water supply
• 3-day non-perishable food
• First aid kit (comprehensive)
• Medications (7-day supply)
• Battery-powered radio
• Multiple flashlights
• Extra batteries
• Cash
• Basic tools
• Duct tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Sanitation supplies
• Change of clothes

Vehicle Kit

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

Insurance and Documents

Photograph Home

Take photos of:

• Home exterior (all sides)
• Room-by-room interior
• Valuables with serial numbers
• Family possessions
• Vehicle

Digital Backups

• Insurance policy digital copy
• Documents in cloud storage
• Family photos backed up
• Important documents digital
• Digital access to all info

Physical Copies

• Insurance policies in shelter
• Emergency contact list
• Family medical info
• Vital documents
• Waterproof container

Pre-Season Preparation

Home Preparation

• Anchor mobile home if applicable
• Reinforce garage doors
• Trim tree branches near house
• Remove dead trees
• Repair loose roof shingles
• Secure loose outdoor items
• Ensure smoke/CO detectors work

Family Preparation

• Family drills 2x per year
• Practice shelter routine
• Children understand plan
• Elderly members prepared
• Special needs addressed
• Pet plan established

Community Involvement

• Know local shelter locations
• Understand siren activation
• Register for community alerts
• Neighbor communication
• Community emergency response

Warning Response

Tornado Watch

Actions:

• Continue monitoring weather
• Check emergency supplies
• Bring pets inside
• Review family plan
• Notify family members

Tornado Warning

Actions:

• Move to shelter immediately
• Grab NOAA weather radio
• Notify family
• Take pets
• Cover head
• Stay in shelter
• Wait for all-clear

Post-Tornado Response

Immediate After Storm

• Wait for all-clear
• Assess family for injuries
• Call 911 if seriously injured
• Contact family/friends
• Avoid downed wires

Damage Assessment

• Photograph all damage
• Don't enter unstable buildings
• Contact insurance company
• File damage report
• Document losses

Recovery

• Contact FEMA if disaster declared
• Access community resources
• Insurance claim follow-up
• Utility restoration
• Community rebuild

Special Populations

Elderly Family Members

• Accessible shelter
• Medication accessibility
• Additional supplies
• Regular check-ins
• Communication plan

Children

• Simple plan explained
• Practice drills
• Comfort items
• Reassurance approach
• Age-appropriate education

Disabled Family Members

• Accessible shelter
• Medical equipment
• Communication needs
• Extra assistance
• Care coordination

Pets

• Include in shelter
• Carrier ready
• Food and water
• Vaccination records
• Recent photo

Annual Maintenance Checklist

Monthly

• Test smoke/CO detectors
• Check flashlight batteries
• Verify NOAA radio function
• Update cash amount

Quarterly

• Refresh water supply
• Check food expiration
• Practice family drill
• Review emergency contacts

Annually

• Review insurance
• Update contact info
• Refresh emergency kit
• Update home photos
• Practice comprehensive drill

Bottom Line

A well-prepared family is a safer family. Complete this checklist. Post it prominently. Update annually. Practice drills. Have supplies ready. Know your shelter location. Update insurance. Communication plan established. Community involvement. Comprehensive preparation saves lives during tornado disasters.