Tornado Preparedness Checklist – Online Safe Room Items

A tornado safe room is a reinforced space designed to withstand extreme winds and flying debris. The best location is a basement or underground storm cellar. If unavailable, choose an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows—such as a bathroom, closet, or hallway. Avoid rooms with exterior walls or windows. Mobile homes are not safe; have a plan to reach a sturdy shelter.

Store at least 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per person per day for a minimum of 3 days. For a family of four, that's 12 gallons. Choose non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods like canned goods, energy bars, dried fruits, nuts, and peanut butter. Include a manual can opener. Rotate supplies every 6 months and check expiration dates. Also include food and water for pets.

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for tornadoes. Stay alert, review your plan, and keep your phone charged.
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take shelter immediately in your safe room.
Tornado Emergency: A confirmed, violent tornado is heading toward a populated area—posing a catastrophic threat. This is the highest level of alert. Seek shelter instantly.

Keep copies of IDs, passports, insurance policies, property deeds, and medical records in a waterproof, fireproof portable safe or a sealed plastic bag inside your safe room. Also store digital copies on a USB drive or in secure cloud storage. Include emergency contact numbers on paper in case your phone battery dies. Cash in small bills is essential if ATMs and card readers are down.

Choose a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor—such as a bathroom, closet, or hallway. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture (like a heavy table), cover your body with blankets or a mattress, and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid corners as debris can accumulate there. If in a mobile home, evacuate to a pre-planned sturdy building or community storm shelter.

Review your checklist and supplies every 6 months (spring and fall are ideal). Check expiration dates on food, water, medications, and batteries. Update important documents. Reassess your family's needs—new babies, new pets, new medical conditions. Practice your tornado drill at least once a year so everyone knows exactly where to go and what to grab.

A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio provides direct alerts from the National Weather Service, even when cell towers are down or networks are congested. It works during power outages and doesn't depend on Wi-Fi or data. Many models feature a loud alarm that wakes you up at night—critical since many tornadoes occur overnight. Keep extra batteries in your safe room.