Emergency Preparedness

Inclement weather doesn't have to present a danger to you or your family. Knowing what precautions to take can keep you safe when inclement weather looms.

Do you know what to do to prepare for a severe storm or tornado? Natural disasters caused by severe weather or tornados result in multi-millions of dollars in damages as well as killing and...

A tornado watch means atmospheric conditions favor tornado development and it is possible a tornado could develop. (See References 1, pg. 66) Often a severe thunderstorm warning precedes or...

The National Weather Service, a branch of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), relies on reports from weather spotters and members of the public when it comes to providing an...

Tornadoes are very dangerous and can appear quite suddenly. However, there are a few basic tips that greatly reduce the likelihood of injury or death. Basic preparedness starts with having a...

Tornadoes are by far the most unpredictable weather phenomenon. The unpredictability also makes them the most dangerous storm. Some areas of the country are more prone to Tornadoes than others,...

A tornado is one of the most destructive weather phenomena, and is often accompanied by other dangerous weather such as hail. Knowing where to find shelter is crucial to surviving these deadly storms.

If you live in tornado-prone areas, you've probably spent tome time in your home's tornado shelter or safe room area. While thankfully, the vast majority of tornado warnings and watches are...

Although tornadoes strike in every month of the year in the United States, April and May are the two months with the most tornado strikes. Even though chances are against anyone being impacted by...

Its tornado season again and let me be the first to tell you that being unprepared for a tornado is not fun. We just had one roll through our area and my family and i were stuck in a tight spot...

A Derecho (pronounced da-ray-cho) is like a tornado, but instead of the winds going in a circle they go straight. They can reach speeds up to 130 mph and can be 250 miles wide and 800 miles long....

If you hear a tornado whistle, your first reaction is most likely to panic. But panic will get you nowhere because what you must do is stay calm in order to get you and your loved ones to safety....

Tornadoes can be one of the most frightening incidents to ever happen. My husband and I were in a tornado a couple of years ago and thankful to be alive. Tornadoes can drop anywhere no matter what...

Hurricane season is right around the corner, and with that comes a season of flooding, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. Thousands of families each year are affected by a thunderstorm that left them...

It's that time of year where people in the Midwest have to keep a watch on the skies for the terrifying cloud formations called tornadoes. These are some steps that I implement in my own home. I...

April through July is the normal season for tornadoes in the Midwest. However, Tornadoes seem to be making an early entrance each year. As soon as spring arrives we should have a plan and be...

Tornado chasing is big on TV but for real life not very smart. We don't go see the Wizard of Oz. Being prepared for a spring storm and having tornado safety should be your goal. Spring storms...

Tornadoes are the most violent and destructive atmospheric fenomena,on a small surface of land.If you are caught by a tornado,and you don't have a safe room,there are a few tips you can use to...

Prepare a Survival Kit for all kinds of Disasters! You & your family will be grateful when the time comes!

If you live in tornado country, you become accustomed to boiling black clouds and gale force winds that signify a tornado is in the vicinity. You may have a tendency to pooh-pooh the danger and...

A tornado, sometimes referred to as a twister or dust devil, can cause a great deal of damage. There are preventative measures that can be taken to increase the chances of surviving a tornado.

Tornados are terrifically scary. I had an experience with a tornado in Houston, TX about 20 years ago. It was frightening and loud and windy. Here are a few simple tips to help you survive just...

Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms. With a little knowledge and preparation, you can be ready...

Tornado chasing is not recommended for most, but if you are a smart thrill-seeker with both a strong interest and knowledge of meteorology, you are better equipped to storm chase and experience...

Based on the Fujita scale, tornados are measured from a Category F1 at 40 to 72 miles per hour, causing light damage, all the way up to a Category F5 that can cause incredible damage as it speeds...

A tornado can disrupt more than just your life. It can change the entire community you live in. Being able to get news about your neighbors and information about what to do after a natural...

A tornado can cause severe damage to a home and serious injure people. After a tornado has passed, you may need to seek immediate help. However, with phone and power lines possibly knocked down,...

Tornadoes strike suddenly. Because of this, it is easy to lose a pet during the storm. Most of the time, it is very difficult to find your pet once the disaster is over unless your pet is well...

After you survive a tornado, you may think that you can survive anything. That is, until you get to the shelter that is likely to be your home for at least a few days. Living in close quarters...

A high velocity wind funnel, with the power to uproot homes, trees and vehicles is enough to make anyone panic. But panic won't do you any good during a tornado and will probably just make matters...

Whether the threat of tornadoes is new to you, or you grew up doing tornado drills in school, the following steps can be helpful to you in learning, or simply reviewing, how to stay safe during a...

This article will tell you how to prepare for a tornado, and what to do should your area come under a tornado warning. Includes advice for putting together a tornado kit and tips on how to tell...

In 2007, a large and fast moving tornado cut a swath through Greensburg, KS, leveling most of the town. On May 1 through 3, 2008, tornadoes struck in Arkansas, killing 8 and leveling hundreds of...

Whether it be a winter storm, hurricane, tornado, heat wave or other severe weather emergency, it is important to have an emergency supplies kit packed and in place before the disaster occurs....

Tornadoes are spinning whirlwinds that can reach speeds of up to 500 miles an hour. They can cover 5 to 40 miles of ground per hour as well. They're one of the most dangerous weather hazards,...

Tornadoes are violent windstorms. They commonly occur in the United States and are responsible for approximately 1,500 injuries and 70 deaths each year. The strength of a tornado is calculated...

The United States experiences about 1,200 tornadoes annually. Even though Tornado Alley only covers states from Texas north to the Dakotas, other regions of the country are at risk too. Tornadoes...

If a tornado is coming, you will want to evacuate you and your family to a safer location. While it is very important to evacuate you should follow a set of instructions to get out safely and take...

Thunderstorms range from the quick spring storm that rolls through in late afternoons to the severe ones where broadcast warnings go out about taking the appropriate precautions for safety....

Seventy percent of tornadoes occur between March and June. Typically, only a few minutes notice is all you get. Being prepared ahead of time is important in order to be able to survive a tornado...

Although they make great disaster-movie plots, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes aren't so fun off the big screen. If you live in an area prone to these natural disasters, it pays to be prepared.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that 1,000 tornadoes strike the United States each year, with winds reaching up to 300 miles per hour.

These guidelines follow the recommendations of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.