Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

With recent tornadoes appearing as close as Maryland, we wanted to promote some tornado safety advice for anyone who may be at risk for tornado-like weather throughout today’s storms, and anytime severe weather warnings are in place.

Before a Tornado Strikes

  • When the National Weather Service issues a tornado watch, go to your shelter area and check to see that everything you need for protection is there.
  • Gather bottled water, non-perishable food items, flashlights and a battery-operated radio.
  • Keep an ear to the radio or television and listen for storm status updates, and stay alert for warnings.

Signs of a Tornado
In addition to listening to weather reports, the following signs may indicate a tornado is near:

  • Strong, persistent rotations at a cloud’s base
  • Whirling dust or debris
  • Hail or heavy rain, followed by a dead calm or intense wind shift
  • Loud rumbles of noise that do not fade away in seconds like thunder

During a Tornado

  • Go to the basement or lowest level of your home, get under a sturdy structure, such as a table, and then cover yourself with protective materials. If your home does not have a basement, go to a small, central space such as bathroom, closet, under a stairwell or a hallway with no windows. Then, crouch down to the floor, face down and cover your head with your hands.
  • If you live in a mobile home, leave your house and seek other shelter. If there is nowhere else to go, lie flat on the ground and cover your head with your hands.

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