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Environmental Health and Safety • 2408 Wanda Daley Drive • Ames, Iowa 50011-3602 • (515) 294-5359 •
www.ehs.iastate.eduTornado Safety
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground that is
capable of destroying anything in its path and hurling objects through the air
like deadly missiles. They can produce winds in excess of 200 MPH, be over
1 mile wide and stay on the ground for over 50 miles! Although tornadoes
occur in many parts of the world, they are found most frequently in the United
States. In an average year, 1,200 tornadoes cause 70-75 fatalities and 1,500
injuries across
the nation. Warnings save lives, however deaths and injuries still occur.
Some people may not hear the warning, others did but did not believe it
would happen to them. Are you and your family prepared for a tornado?
Be Ready Year Round!
• Know the risk for your area. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day, any day of the year.
• Have a NOAA Weather Radio and battery back-up to receive warnings.
• Have a plan of action BEFORE severe weather threatens. You need to respond quickly when a warning is
issued or a tornado is spotted.
Prepare!
• Know how your community sends warnings. Some have outdoor sirens, others depend on media and smart
phones to alert residents.
• Pick a tornado safe room in your home such as a basement, cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor
with no windows. Make sure all members of your family know to go there. If time allows, get your pets.
• Conduct a tornado drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching.
• Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place.
During a Tornado…
• Take shelter immediately! Remember that occasionally tornadoes can develop so quickly that advance
warning is not possible. Stay alert when threatening weather is in your area!
• Get to an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
• Mobile homes are not safe! Abandon them immediately and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter.
If you are outdoors, seek shelter immediately! If you cannot quickly get to shelter:
• Get into a vehicle, buckle your safety belt and try to drive to the closest shelter.
• If flying debris occurs while driving, pull over and park. As a last resort:
¤¤ Stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your
hands and blanket if possible.
¤¤ If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the road, exit your car and lie in that area,
covering your head.
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Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances!
¤¤ More information and tips on preparing and staying safe during a tornado can be found
For more information and safety tips, visit our
tornadopage.