Hurricanes and tornadoes: how to prepare, where to shelter and what to do after

Hurricanes and tornadoes are both wind storms, but they behave very differently. A hurricane is forecast days ahead and covers hundreds of miles; its biggest killer is water, from storm surge and flooding. A tornado can form in minutes and destroy a narrow path with extreme winds. Preparing for both comes down to knowing your risk, having a plan and acting on warnings.

This guide is adapted from FEMA’s Ready.gov guidance on hurricanes and tornadoes, which is in the public domain.

Watches and warnings

Alert	Meaning	What to do
Hurricane watch	Hurricane conditions possible, usually within 48 hours	Review your plan, fuel up, gather supplies, check evacuation zone
Hurricane warning	Hurricane conditions expected, usually within 36 hours	Finish preparations; evacuate if told to
Tornado watch	Conditions favor tornadoes in the area	Stay alert, know where you’ll shelter
Tornado warning	A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar	Shelter immediately

Hurricanes: before

• Know your evacuation zone and routes. Many coastal areas publish zone maps.
• Build your kit for at least 72 hours, ideally two weeks: home emergency supplies and a go bag for each person.
• Protect your home: storm shutters or pre-cut plywood, clear gutters, secure or bring in outdoor items, trim trees.
• Check flood insurance: standard homeowners policies usually don’t cover flood. See protecting your home from flooding.
• Fill your car’s tank, withdraw some cash and charge power banks.
• Photograph your home and belongings for insurance.

Hurricanes: when it hits

• If told to evacuate, go. Storm surge can flood areas far from the beach within hours. See the evacuation checklist.
• If you stay, shelter in an interior room on the highest floor that isn’t at risk of flooding, away from windows.
• Beware the eye: a sudden calm may mean the eye is passing. The wind will return from the opposite direction.
• Never run a generator indoors or in the garage. See carbon monoxide poisoning.

Tornadoes: where to shelter

Where you are	Best option
House with a basement	Basement, under a sturdy table or mattress, away from heavy objects on the floor above
House without a basement	Small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, no windows (closet, bathroom)
Apartment building	Interior hallway or room on the lowest floor possible
Mobile home	Leave for a sturdy building or storm shelter before the storm arrives
Office, school, store	Designated shelter area, interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor
In a car	Drive to a sturdy building if possible; otherwise stay buckled, head below windows, or lie in a low area away from the car

In all cases: protect your head and neck with your arms, a helmet, a mattress or cushions.

Tornadoes: warning signs

• A dark, often greenish sky
• Large hail
• A loud roar, like a freight train
• A low, rotating cloud or debris cloud

After the storm

• Wait for the all-clear before going outside.
• Stay away from downed power lines and floodwater, which can be electrified or contaminated.
• Watch for structural damage, gas leaks and broken glass. See gas leak: what to do.
• Photograph damage before cleaning up.
• Check on neighbors, especially older people.
• Use text messages rather than calls to keep networks free.

Prepare now

• Know where you’ll shelter at home, at work and at school.
• Sign up for local alerts and keep a battery radio ready.
• Choose your safe room and practice getting there.
• In tornado-prone areas, consider a FEMA-standard storm shelter or safe room.