A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible. A tornado watch is issued when weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes.

During a tornado watch, you should

• Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio external icon, or your mobile phone for further weather information.
• Watch the weather and be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.
• If your Innsbrook home is not the ideal place to be during a storm, please stay at or return to your primary residence.

Tornado Warning

A warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. It would be best if you immediately took shelter during a tornado warning.

Although there is no completely safe place during a tornado, some locations are safer than others. Secure areas include a storm cellar, a basement, or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (such as a bathroom, closet, or center hallway).

Could you create a tornado emergency plan?

Take a few minutes to develop a tornado emergency plan.

• Identify a safe place in your home for household members and pets to gather during a tornado.
• Sketch a floor plan of your home or walk through each room and discuss where and how to seek shelter.
  • Identify a second way to exit from each room or area. Mark where it is located if you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder.
  • Mark where your first-aid kit and fire extinguishers are located.
  • Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so they can be turned off (if time permits) during an emergency.
• Make sure everyone understands the tornado warning system in your area.
• Teach your family how to administer basic first aid, use a fire extinguisher, and how and when turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home.
• Learn the emergency dismissal policy for your child’s school.
• Make sure your children know
  • What a tornado is
  • What tornado watches and warnings are
  • What county  they live in (warnings are issued by county )
  • How to take shelter, whether at home or school

Extra measures for people with functional needs

• Write down your specific needs, limitations, capabilities, and medications. Keep this list near you always—perhaps in your purse or wallet.
• Find someone nearby (such as a spouse, roommate, friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker) who will agree to assist you in an emergency. Please give them a copy of your list. You may also want to provide a spare key to your home or directions to find a key.
• Stay updated on the weather conditions through whatever means are accessible. Some options are closed captioning or scrolled warnings on TV, radio bulletins, or call-in weather information lines.

Inspect your home for possible hazards.

Inspect your home for possible hazards. Address these questions:

• Are walls securely bolted to the foundation?
• Are wall studs attached to the roof rafters with metal hurricane clips, not nails?
• Are chairs or beds near windows, mirrors, or large pictures?
• Are heavy items stored on shelves more than 30 inches high?
• Are there large, unsecured items that might topple over or fall?
• Are poisons, solvents, or toxic materials stored safely?

Secure your home’s structure.

• No home is entirely safe in a tornado. However, attention to construction details can reduce damage and provide better protection for you and your loved ones. For example, you may need to strengthen the connection areas between the wall studs and roof rafters with hurricane clips.
• If you identify a possible hazard in your home’s construction, contact your local city or county building inspectors for more information about structural safety. They may also offer suggestions for finding a qualified contractor to do any needed work.