06/16/2026
**WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY OF SEVERE WEATHER**
**Prepare before watches and warnings are issued.**
Severe weather days can feel stressful, but having a plan before storms arrive makes a big difference. The goal is simple: know where you will go, what you will take, and how you will receive warnings.
# # BEFORE STORMS ARRIVE
Use the quiet hours to get ready.
Charge your phone.
Charge backup batteries.
Turn on emergency alerts.
Have at least two ways to receive warnings.
Know your county and nearest town.
Know your safe shelter location.
Bring pets indoors early.
Secure loose outdoor items.
Move vehicles into a garage or away from trees if possible.
Avoid unnecessary travel once storms begin approaching.
Do not wait until a warning is issued to start preparing.
# # WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR SHELTER AREA
Keep these items in or near your safe place:
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Phone charger or power bank
Shoes for everyone
Bike helmet or hard hat if available
Blankets or pillows for head protection
First aid kit
Prescription medications
Water bottles
Snacks
Pet leash or carrier
Diapers, wipes, or baby supplies if needed
Glasses or contacts
Hearing aids or medical devices
Weather radio if available
Small bag with important documents
Cash
Keys
Wallet or purse
Shoes matter. If damage occurs, there may be broken glass, nails, tree limbs, or debris after the storm.
# # IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO GRAB
Put important documents in a waterproof bag or folder if you can.
Consider including:
Driver’s license or state ID
Insurance cards
Health insurance information
Homeowners or renters insurance policy
Vehicle insurance information
Birth certificates
Social Security cards
Passports
Medical information
Medication list
Emergency contact list
Banking information
Copies of property records, titles, or lease documents
Pet vaccination records
Photos or digital backups of important documents
You do not need to gather every original document if time is short. A photo or digital backup is better than nothing.
# # KNOW YOUR SAFE PLACE
Best option: basement or storm shelter.
Next best option: small interior room on the lowest floor.
Good choices include:
Bathroom
Closet
Interior hallway
Interior room away from windows
Avoid:
Mobile homes
Campers
Vehicles
Garages
Large open rooms
Gymnasiums
Church sanctuaries
Rooms with many windows
Tents, dugouts, pavilions, and bleachers
For tornado warnings, get as low as possible and put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.
For destructive wind warnings, shelter the same way. Straight-line winds can cause serious damage.
# # IF YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME OR WEAK STRUCTURE
Do not wait until a warning is issued.
Leave early and go to a sturdier building before storms arrive.
Options may include:
A trusted friend or family member with a basement
A community shelter if one is officially open
A church, school, or public building only if officials announce it is open
A workplace or business with a sturdy interior room
Do not assume fire stations, schools, or public buildings are open shelters unless local officials say they are.
# # DURING A WATCH
A watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms.
Use the watch time to finish preparing.
Check your shelter.
Charge your phone.
Bring pets inside.
Secure outdoor items.
Move vehicles if needed.
Review the plan with your family.
Keep alerts nearby.
A watch means: **get ready.**
# # DURING A WARNING
A warning means dangerous weather is happening or about to happen.
Do not wait to see the tornado.
Do not wait for sirens.
Do not stand near windows.
Do not go outside to watch.
Do not try to drive away unless you are leaving an unsafe structure before storms arrive.
Go to shelter immediately.
A warning means: **take action now.**
# # FAMILY AND PET PLAN
Make sure everyone knows where to go.
Assign simple jobs:
One person grabs pets.
One person grabs medications.
One person grabs the document bag.
One person checks that phones are charged.
For kids, use calm and simple language:
“We have a plan.”
“We know where to go.”
“If a warning happens, we move to our safe place.”
# # AFTER THE STORM
Wait until warnings expire before leaving shelter.
Watch for downed power lines.
Avoid flooded roads.
Do not walk through debris without shoes.
Check on family, neighbors, and pets.
Use flashlights instead of candles if the power is out.
Report damage when safe to do so.
# # BOTTOM LINE
Prepare before storms arrive.
Know your county.
Know your safe place.
Have multiple ways to get warnings.
Keep important items ready.
Act quickly if a warning is issued.
**Prepared is calmer than uncertain.**
