Tornado alerts and protective action
Understand tornado watches and warnings, identify sturdy shelter before storms arrive, and act immediately on official warnings.
This retained reference page explains preparedness and protective actions; it is not a live alert feed or a forecast. For current conditions, use official alerts for your location.
Prepare before an alert
- Identify a basement, storm shelter, or small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
- Enable official alerts and keep a backup way to receive warnings, including at night.
- Practice reaching shelter quickly and include mobility, communication, and pet needs.
Watch and warning language
A watch means the hazard is possible and you should be ready to act. A warning means the hazard is occurring, imminent, or highly likely in the warned area and protective action is needed. Read the complete official alert because wording and actions vary by hazard.
Protective actions
- Go to your identified shelter immediately when warned; put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
- Protect your head and neck and stay away from windows.
- If you are in a mobile home or outdoors, follow NWS guidance and move to a nearby sturdy shelter when it is safe to do so.
- Afterward, avoid damaged buildings and downed lines and continue monitoring official information.
Important: Call emergency services for immediate danger. Always follow current directions from local authorities over general web guidance.
Related PREPHAUS resources
Official sources
Source links are provided for provenance and current official instructions. No publication or retrieval date is asserted here.