You’re working hard at the office, preparing to wrap up the day. Your phone dings loudly with an emergency alert for a tornado warning. Suddenly, you hear hums through the office, “Oh no!” “Guess I should head out!”. And amidst the panic and confusion of your coworkers, you wonder: what does this warning mean? What do I do next?
Understanding the meaning of weather alerts and how to interpret them is an important part of personal safety. Knowing what you’re dealing with will help you prepare for the worst!
What Is a Tornado Warning?
A tornado warning is an alert that tends to come after a tornado watch. A tornado watch means that a tornado or a thunderstorm that could cause a tornado is possible in your area. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center tends to send out a tornado watch alert hours before a storm/tornado is to hit an area, if possible. When dealing with a tornado watch, this means you should start preparing for your area to be hit in case the watch pans out.
A warning is what comes next. Tornado warnings mean that a tornado is imminent. This urgent alert means you should take cover and wait for a tornado to pass. Usually, tornado warnings will list the time, location, emergency precautions, and predicted damage the tornado could cause.
How Tornado Warnings Work
Tornado warnings usually move fast. Therefore, we have brilliant scientists monitoring our weather activity at all times. These meteorologists use satellite data, radar, and weather observations to detect severe storms brewing. Additionally, one particular technology called Doppler radar is used to pinpoint and analyze the rotation in thunderstorms, and identify tornados.
Typically, when a tornado is spotted and verified, the National Weather Service (NWS) will issue a warning. Tornado warnings list information about the location of the tornado, its movements, the location, and the ETA.
Usually, you will receive tornado warnings through various channels, such as:
- Radio reports
- Television
- Weather radio
- Mobile devices— the emergency alert you get on your phone.
- Outdoor warning sirens
- Social media and websites
Trust us, when a tornado is on the way, everyone knows about it. However, not everyone knows how to prepare…
What To Do: Tornado Warning Edition
We have all been there, whether it’s a hurricane or tornado warning. The panic sets in, and the rush to prepare commences! But where to start? Ideally, you would have had a tornado watch before the warning and have time to fully prepare. However, a warning is much more imminent in nature, so how do you prepare for this unexpected guest?
After You Receive a Tornado Warning Alert:
- If you’re home: gather your family and anyone living in the house. Don’t forget about your pets or anyone who may be vulnerable in your family (seniors).
- Stay where you are and pick out a study area on a lower level to take shelter. Additionally, storm cellars, basements, hallways, or a small windowless interior room will suffice.
- Avoid rooms with large span roofs like auditoriums or gymnasiums.
- Ideally, this place would have an emergency preparedness kit, but if not—grab a few items: battery-operated radio, first aid kit, and water.
- Keep your phone charged if possible.
- Protect yourself from debris: cover yourself with a mattress, blankets, and pillows. If available, wear a helmet to protect your head.
- Listen to the radio for updates.
- If you’re outside: take shelter in the lowest possible place like a ravine or ditch. Lay flat and cover your head with your hands.
- Avoid overpasses, bridges, and trees due to the risk of collapse.
- If you’re in a car: don’t try to race the tornado, park the vehicle and take shelter in a sturdy building in a low-lying area.
- Do not leave your safe place until authorities declare the area safe/the warning has expired.
Prepare, Don’t Panic
Tornado warnings can be unnerving and disorienting. However, the less you panic and the more you prepare, the better the outcome will be.
Many of the issues you may encounter in a fast-prepping situation like a tornado warning can be avoided. Having an emergency kit, and battery-operated radio, keeping your phone handy and charged, and having water and non-perishables on hand are life-saving actions.
Tornadoes aren’t the only sudden disasters that require fast thinking and solid preparation. Earthquakes, for example, strike without warning—leaving zero time to panic. If you live in a region where earthquakes are even a remote possibility, check out our guide: Earthquake Safety Tips You Need to Know Before the Shaking Starts. It covers exactly how to prepare, respond, and stay safe when the ground starts to move.
Additionally, keeping calm and not panicking will help you get things in order. High-pressure or dangerous situations can cause panic, which will not be helpful to you at a time when clear heads prevail.
Be aware, and stay safe!
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