Tornado Preparedness Checklist

The complete tornado checklist, from pre-season preparation through watch, warning, immediate aftermath, and recovery. 5 phases, color-coded, field-ready.

VERSION v2026.04

PAGES 8

FORMAT Printable

01 🏠

TORNADO SEASON PREP

Pre-season · before severe weather begins
02 ⚠️

WATCH ISSUED

Tornado Watch · conditions are favorable
03 🌪️

WARNING / TAKE SHELTER

Tornado Warning · take cover NOW
04 🛡️

IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH

First 1-2 hours after the tornado passes
05 🔧

RECOVERY

First 48 hours · stabilize and rebuild

QUICK REFERENCE

The Rule of 3s

3 min

without air — airway is priority #1

3 hrs

without shelter in harsh weather

3 days

without water — this checklist covers it

3 weeks

without food — buys time to reach help

☐ Identify your safe room: interior room, lowest floor, no windows (closet, bathroom, basement)
☐ Buy and program a NOAA weather radio with S.A.M.E. county alerts → Buy
☐ Inspect storm shelter or basement for water damage, debris, and clear access
☐ Secure or store outdoor furniture, trampolines, grills, and loose yard items
☐ Review homeowners/renters insurance for tornado and wind damage coverage
☐ Practice family tornado drill: everyone to safe room in under 2 minutes
☐ Stock safe room with shoes, helmets, flashlight, first aid kit → Buy
☐ Store important documents in a waterproof bag, keep in safe room → Buy
☐ Trim dead branches and remove dead trees near the house
☐ Learn the difference: WATCH = conditions possible, WARNING = take shelter now
☐ Set up emergency contacts list and family meeting point (if separated)
☐ Photograph every room for insurance documentation, store in cloud

☐ Charge all phones, tablets, and portable power banks → Buy
☐ Fill vehicle gas tanks to full, park in garage if available
☐ Move family to ground floor, stay away from upper stories
☐ Gather emergency kit near safe room: water, food, first aid, flashlight
☐ Review shelter plan with every household member, including children
☐ Turn on NOAA weather radio, monitor continuously for upgrades to Warning
☐ Bring pets inside and secure them, leash dogs and crate small animals
☐ Close and latch all windows and exterior doors
☐ Put on sturdy shoes, not sandals. You may walk through debris
☐ Move bikes, trash cans, and lawn chairs inside or to a secured area
☐ Confirm medication supply for 72 hours, grab prescription bottles
☐ Know your county name. NOAA warnings are issued by county, not city

☐ GET TO YOUR SAFE ROOM NOW. Interior room, lowest floor, no windows
☐ Basement is best. If no basement, interior closet or bathroom on ground floor
☐ Protect head and neck: put on a bike helmet or motorcycle helmet → Buy
☐ Pull a mattress, heavy blankets, or sleeping bags over your body for debris protection
☐ Stay OFF elevators. If in a high-rise, go to a hallway on the lowest floor possible
☐ Mobile home or trailer: EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY to a sturdy building or ditch
☐ If driving: do NOT shelter under an overpass. Pull over, get below road level, cover head
☐ Keep shoes on. After the tornado, broken glass and nails will be everywhere
☐ Hold onto something sturdy if possible, face down, arms covering head
☐ Keep NOAA radio or phone with weather app active for the all-clear
☐ Do NOT open windows. That old advice is a myth and wastes critical seconds
☐ Stay sheltered until the Warning expires or all-clear is issued

☐ Check for gas leaks: smell, hissing sound. If detected, leave immediately, do NOT flip switches
☐ Assess structural damage before moving through the building. Look for sagging ceilings and cracks
☐ Stay away from downed power lines, treat every wire as live
☐ Account for all family members. Use your pre-planned contact list
☐ Photograph and video all damage BEFORE moving anything, for insurance → Buy
☐ Watch for secondary tornadoes. Supercells can produce multiple funnels
☐ Wear sturdy shoes and gloves when walking through debris
☐ Check on neighbors, especially elderly and those who live alone
☐ If your home is structurally unsound, do NOT re-enter. Go to a shelter
☐ Turn off utilities at the main if you suspect damage to gas, water, or electric lines
☐ Send a single text to your emergency contact, then preserve battery
☐ Keep children and pets away from debris fields and damaged structures

☐ If water service is disrupted, use only bottled or boiled water until cleared by authorities
☐ Discard all refrigerated food if power was out more than 4 hours, freezer food after 48 hours
☐ File insurance claims immediately. Call your agent, do not wait for them to call you
☐ Debris removal: wear heavy gloves, long sleeves, boots, and eye protection
☐ Watch for nails, broken glass, and unstable structures during cleanup
☐ Emotional wellness check: talk to family members, especially children, about what happened
☐ Contact FEMA if your area receives a disaster declaration (disasterassistance.gov)
☐ Restock emergency supplies: water, batteries, first aid, flashlights
☐ Have electrician inspect wiring before restoring power to damaged areas
☐ Beware of scam contractors. Verify licenses, never pay full cost upfront
☐ Check tetanus shot status. If not current, get one before cleanup work
☐ Replace depleted kit items: medications, cash, phone chargers, documents

This free checklist covers the essentials. The Complete Prep Bundle covers everything after, including scenario playbooks, 12 skill tracks, a diagnostic quiz, printable templates, and lifetime Premium access.

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📋 5 Printable Checklists
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🗂️ Family Plan + Pantry Rotation Templates
⭐ Premium Lifetime Access

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