Be Prepared Before Severe Weather Strikes
Severe weather can develop rapidly, leaving little time to prepare. Having a plan in place before dangerous conditions arrive can save your life. This guide covers essential safety steps for the most common severe weather threats across the United States.
Emergency Kit Essentials
Every household should maintain an emergency kit with water (one gallon per person per day for three days), non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, medications, important documents in a waterproof container, a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio, and cash. Update your kit every six months.
Family Communication Plan
Establish a meeting place, designate an out-of-area contact person, and ensure every family member knows the plan. Practice your plan at least twice a year, including shelter drills for tornadoes. Make sure children know how to call 911 and understand basic weather safety.
Tornado Safety
Tornadoes can develop in minutes with winds exceeding 200 mph. When a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, take shelter immediately.
Where to Take Shelter
Go to the lowest level of a sturdy building. Move to an interior room or hallway away from windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture and cover your head with your arms or a blanket. If you are in a mobile home, evacuate to a substantial structure immediately — mobile homes are not safe in tornadoes.
If You Are Driving
Never try to outrun a tornado. If you can safely reach a sturdy building, do so. If not, pull over, keep your seatbelt on, duck below the window line, and cover your head. Avoid overpasses and bridges, which can create dangerous wind tunnel effects. Ditches can be a last resort if no other shelter is available.
Hurricane Safety
Hurricanes bring multiple hazards including storm surge, extreme winds, inland flooding, and tornadoes. Preparation should begin well before hurricane season.
Before the Storm
Know your evacuation zone and routes. Board up windows or install hurricane shutters. Stock up on supplies for at least three days. Fill your car with gas and withdraw cash from the ATM. Bring in outdoor furniture and secure loose items that could become projectiles.
During the Storm
Stay indoors away from windows and glass doors. If you lose power, use flashlights rather than candles. Do not go outside during the eye of the hurricane — dangerous conditions will resume quickly. Monitor weather updates on battery-powered radio.
Storm Surge
Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. If you are in a storm surge zone and ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Storm surge can raise water levels 20 feet or more in minutes, making escape impossible once it begins.
Flood Safety
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States and can occur anywhere. Flash floods can develop within minutes of heavy rainfall.
The Number One Rule
Turn around, don't drown. Never walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down. One foot of water can float a vehicle. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
During a Flash Flood
Move to higher ground immediately if you see or hear rising water. Do not wait for instructions if you sense danger. Avoid low-lying areas, drainage channels, and areas near rivers and streams. If trapped in a building, go to the highest floor but do not climb into a closed attic where you could be trapped by rising water.
Lightning Safety
Lightning kills about 20 people per year in the US and injures hundreds more. When thunder roars, go indoors. A substantial building or hard-topped vehicle provides the best protection. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back outside.
Extreme Heat Safety
Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the US, killing more people than tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods combined. Stay in air-conditioned spaces during heat waves. Drink plenty of water even if you don't feel thirsty. Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. Check on elderly neighbors who may not have air conditioning.
Stay Informed
Use WeatherStream360's live map to monitor weather conditions in real time. Check weather alerts regularly during severe weather season. Follow your local NWS office on social media for the latest forecasts and warnings.