Tornado Preparedness Season

Before the Spring flowers bloom, the April showers roll in. For some, that means tornadoes swirling in behind them. Though the forces of nature can’t be stopped, there are safety precautions in place to better prepare you for the unexpected.

Tornadoes are more common in the United States than any other country in the world. While tornadoes have been documented in every state, some regions and states are far more prone to being affected. While it is tornado season, it's also important to remember that tornadoes can happen at any time of year.

Here are some common recommendations on how to best prepare for tornadoes:

• What kind of shelter to look for: Aim for rooms close to the ground. Underground rooms like basements or storm cellars are best since it puts you far away from the tornado and flying debris. You should also get to the middle of your shelter room and away from walls to put space between you and the outside.

• Know the signs in the sky: Prepare yourself by knowing what an impending tornado looks and sounds like. You can expect to hear and see things like a dark or green-colored sky, big low-lying clouds, humid, windy & hot weather and loud train-like roars in the wind.

• Create a safety kit full of essentials: A packed safety kit can save you precious time and give you peace of mind when you’re getting your group to safety. The right items can also alleviate strain on healthcare systems and reduce the need to go outside for supplies while sheltering in place. Keep enough stock in your safety kit to sustain your group for at least three days, such as:

• Medicine
• Important documents
• Tech and batteries
• Sleeping supplies
• First aid
• Maps and lighting
• Dry food and beverages

Tornadoes can strike without warning, but we have your back. With the protection of AFI’s Homeowner Insurance or Renter Insurance, we'll make sure you have the coverage you need.

Protect nearly everything else with AFI insurance products. Learn more here.