According to the National Weather Service, a tornado is a "violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground." They are rated using the Enhanced Fujita Scale
Tornadoes have occurred in all 50 states. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida are all tornado prone.
As far as strength is concerned, tornadoes are rated using the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
EF-4 and EF-5 tornadoes are classified as "violent." Although rare, most tornado-related deaths are a result of violent tornadoes.
Tornado Watch
What it means: A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes within the watch area and could occur at any time. The watch area usually spans many counties and even states.
What to do if a watch is issued: Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. (Source: National Weather Service)
You should also have a way to receive warnings. A NOAA weather radio will work. There are also apps that will alert you of warnings or function as a weather radio.
Tornado Warning
What it means: A tornado warning means that a tornado has been visually confirmed and/or indicated by radar. They are usually small area, and usually include cities and sections of counties.
What to do if a warning is issued: Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. (Source: National Weather Service)
Some tips directly from the National Weather Service on how to prepare for a tornado:
- Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips.
- Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.
- Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Check more ideas for your family plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
- Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when tornado warnings are issued. Don't forget pets if time allows.
Prepare
- Your Home: Consider having your safe room reinforced. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
- Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt.
Source: National Weather Service
*NOTE* Tornado sirens are meant to alert people outside and should NOT be the primary way you get warnings.
The most reliable way get watches/warnings is a weather radio.
Advice from the National Weather Service on what to do during a tornado:
Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.
At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe.
In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
Source: National Weather Service
What to do after a tornado:
Stay Informed: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are possible during severe weather outbreaks.
Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you're okay so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
Assess the Damage: After the threat for tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
Help Your Neighbor: If you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until emergency response teams arrive.
Source: National Weather Service