Preparing for Severe Weather

Category: Emergency Preparedness

Preparing for Severe Weather

Severe weather can develop quickly, interrupt power and transportation, damage homes, and make ordinary errands unsafe. It may involve thunderstorms, lightning, damaging wind, tornadoes, hail, flooding, extreme heat, winter storms, hurricanes, or another dangerous local condition.

You cannot control the weather, but you can reduce the number of decisions you must make while it is happening. The best time to decide where to shelter, how to receive alerts, what supplies you need, and who may need help is before a warning appears on your phone.

Preparing does not mean becoming afraid every time rain appears in the forecast. It means knowing the difference between an inconvenient day and a dangerous situation—and having a practical plan for both.

Learn Which Hazards Affect Your Area

Severe weather is not the same everywhere. Coastal communities may prepare for hurricanes and storm surge. Other areas face tornadoes, flash floods, wildfires, extreme heat, ice storms, blizzards, or prolonged cold.

Identify:

Common hazards where you live
The seasons when they are most likely
Whether your home is in a flood, coastal, wildfire, or evacuation zone
Local shelters and evacuation routes
How your city, county, school, workplace, and building communicate emergencies
Which roads or transportation services are often affected

Do not assume that a weather event has to be historically unusual to be dangerous. A short intense storm can flood roads, bring down trees, or interrupt power even when the larger region is not experiencing a major disaster.

Understand Watches, Warnings, and Advisories

Weather alerts tell you more than what may happen. They tell you how urgently you need to respond.

Watch

A watch means hazardous weather is possible. The exact location or timing may still be uncertain.

Use a watch to:

Review your plan
Charge devices
Check supplies
Bring in outdoor items
Adjust travel or activities
Make sure everyone can receive future warnings
Prepare to act quickly

Advisory

An advisory means hazardous conditions are occurring, expected, or likely. The event may be less serious than the conditions requiring a warning, but it can still create significant inconvenience and become dangerous if you do not use caution.

Warning

A warning means dangerous weather is occurring, imminent, or expected. Take the protective action described in the alert.

A warning is not the time to begin researching whether the basement is safer than the porch. Follow the instructions, move to safety, and continue monitoring official information.

Read the complete alert. Different warnings require different actions. A tornado warning, flash-flood warning, winter-storm warning, and extreme-heat warning do not tell you to do the same thing.

Set Up More Than One Way to Receive Alerts

Do not rely on seeing the sky, hearing a siren, or receiving a social media post.

Use several alert methods:

Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone
A trusted weather app
Local government emergency notifications
NOAA Weather Radio
Local radio or television
Building, school, workplace, or community alerts
A trusted person who will contact you when necessary

Keep phone alerts turned on and make sure emergency notifications can sound even when other notifications are silenced, when your device allows it.

Outdoor warning sirens are mainly designed to alert people outdoors. You may not hear them inside, during heavy wind or rain, while sleeping, or with loud appliances running.

Check the Forecast as Part of Your Routine

During severe-weather season, check:

Morning forecast
Hourly timing
Watches and warnings
Expected rainfall, snow, ice, wind, and temperature
Conditions during your commute or planned activity
Weather at your destination and along the route

Check again before leaving work, school, an appointment, or another location. Conditions may have changed while you were inside.

If severe weather is possible overnight, charge your phone, keep alerts audible, and place shoes, medication, glasses, and a flashlight where you can reach them quickly.

Helpful Resources: Browse Weather Information & Everyday Preparation for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Create a Household Emergency Plan

Your plan should answer:

Where will we shelter inside the home?
Where will we meet if we must leave?
How will we communicate if phone calls do not connect?
Who will check on children, older adults, pets, or anyone needing help?
How will we evacuate without a personal vehicle?
Which items must come with us?
Where will we go if the home becomes unsafe?
Who is our out-of-area contact?

Write the plan down. Give a copy to everyone who needs it. Use clear language, pictures, or step-by-step instructions when helpful.

Practice the plan at least twice a year and whenever your household, home, transportation, or support needs change.

Choose Your Safe Locations in Advance

The safest location depends on the hazard.

For Tornadoes and Extreme Wind

Choose a basement, storm shelter, safe room, or small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Stay away from windows, exterior walls, and large open rooms.

Bathrooms, closets, and interior hallways may be options when no purpose-built shelter is available. Know the location before a warning.

For Flooding

Move to higher ground or a higher floor when instructed. A basement that is useful during a tornado may be dangerous during a flood.

For Lightning

Go inside a substantial building or a hard-topped enclosed vehicle. A porch, pavilion, tent, shed, tree, or open-sided shelter does not provide reliable lightning protection.

For Extreme Heat or Cold

Identify safe places with reliable heating or cooling, such as the home of a trusted person, library, community center, warming center, cooling center, or emergency shelter.

One safe room does not solve every emergency. Match the shelter location to the hazard.

Build and Maintain an Emergency Supply Kit

Keep supplies for at least several days, including:

Water
Nonperishable food
Essential medication
First aid supplies
Flashlights
Extra batteries
Radio
Phone chargers and portable battery
Hygiene supplies
Weather-appropriate clothing and blankets
Copies of important information
Cash
Pet and service-animal supplies
Disability- and medical-specific equipment

Keep a smaller evacuation bag ready with essential items you can carry quickly.

Review supplies every six months. Replace expired food, medication, batteries, and other items. Charge portable power banks and update medical and contact information.

Helpful Resources: Browse Evacuation & Grab-and-Go Supplies for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Prepare Your Home Before Storm Season

Routine maintenance can reduce damage and help important systems work when needed.

Consider:

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Replace alarm batteries as recommended.
Know how to shut off water and electricity when appropriate.
Have heating, fireplaces, chimneys, and fuel-burning equipment inspected as recommended.
Keep a working fire extinguisher.
Clear gutters and drains safely.
Trim unhealthy tree branches through a qualified professional.
Repair loose outdoor railings, shutters, or structures.
Check roof, windows, and doors for damage or leaks.
Keep flashlights accessible.
Label the electrical panel.

Renters should report building hazards, leaks, damaged windows, unsafe trees, and other maintenance concerns to the landlord or property manager. Keep copies of important communications.

Do not climb onto a roof or attempt electrical, tree, or structural work you cannot perform safely.

Secure Outdoor Items

Strong wind can turn ordinary objects into dangerous debris.

Before conditions arrive, bring inside or secure:

Patio furniture
Trash and recycling containers
Grills
Umbrellas
Decorations
Planters
Tools
Sports equipment
Bicycles
Toys
Temporary signs

Do this while conditions are still safe. Do not go outside during dangerous wind or lightning to chase an object that should have been secured earlier.

Prepare for a Power Outage

Severe weather frequently interrupts electricity.

Before the storm:

Charge phones and portable batteries.
Locate flashlights.
Avoid relying on candles.
Know which medical equipment requires power.
Ask equipment suppliers about backup options.
Lower refrigerator and freezer temperatures if an outage is likely.
Fill necessary prescriptions.
Know how to open a garage door manually.
Keep the vehicle fueled or charged when conditions allow.

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or gasoline-, propane-, or charcoal-burning equipment inside a home, garage, basement, shed, carport, or near doors, windows, and vents. These devices produce carbon monoxide, an invisible and odorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

Do not heat a home with a gas oven.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, or anyone develops headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, or confusion where fuel-burning equipment is present, move outside to fresh air and call 911.

Protect Medication and Medical Needs

Before severe weather:

Refill medication when possible.
Keep an updated medication list.
Store medication according to label instructions.
Ask how to handle medication requiring refrigeration during an outage.
Charge medical and adaptive equipment.
Keep backup batteries and supplies.
Know which shelters or locations can support medical needs.
Arrange transportation or assistance before conditions become dangerous.

Do not place medication directly on ice or freeze it unless instructed. If medication has been exposed to unsafe temperatures, contact a pharmacist or healthcare professional for guidance.

Plan for Disabilities and Support Needs

Emergency plans should reflect what people actually need to communicate, move, understand instructions, regulate emotions, take medication, and remain safe.

Consider:

Accessible transportation
Backup mobility equipment
Hearing-aid and communication-device batteries
Visual or written emergency instructions
Communication cards
Sensory supports
Service-animal supplies
Personal-assistance needs
Backup power
An identified support network
A plan if an elevator cannot operate

Practice the plan using the same route, equipment, and communication method that would be needed during a real emergency.

If someone may become confused or overwhelmed, keep directions short and specific: Shoes on. Take your bag. Go to the inside bathroom. Explain more once everyone is safe.

Prepare Children Without Frightening Them

Explain severe-weather plans calmly and in age-appropriate language.

Teach children:

What the alert sound means
Where the safe location is
Which adult to follow
Why they should not hide
How to protect their head and body
What to do if they are at school or another caregiver’s home

Practice briefly. Treat the drill as learning a safety routine, not acting out a disaster.

Include comfort items, snacks, medication, diapers, feeding supplies, and quiet activities in the emergency kit.

Prepare Pets and Service Animals

Bring animals inside before conditions become dangerous.

Keep:

Leash and harness
Carrier or crate
Food and water
Medication
Identification
Vaccination and veterinary records
Waste and cleanup supplies
Recent photograph

Know where animals will shelter inside the home. Practice moving them there. A frightened animal may hide or resist entering an unfamiliar carrier.

Identify evacuation locations that accept pets. Service animals are not pets, but they still need supplies, equipment, and a safe evacuation plan.

If You Live in an Apartment

Learn:

Building emergency procedures
Interior shelter locations
Stairwell and exit locations
Whether the building has a basement or designated safe area
How management communicates alerts
What to do if elevators stop working
Where residents should assemble after an evacuation

Do not use an elevator during a fire or when building officials instruct residents not to use it.

If your apartment is on an upper floor, identify a lower interior location for high-wind or tornado warnings. If flooding is the hazard, follow official instructions about moving higher or evacuating.

If You Live in a Mobile or Manufactured Home

Mobile and manufactured homes are not safe shelter during tornadoes or extreme winds, even when tied down.

Identify a nearby sturdy building or approved storm shelter. Know how long it takes to reach it and leave early enough to arrive before dangerous conditions begin.

Do not wait until a tornado is visible. Travel may become impossible after a warning is issued.

Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety

Thunderstorms can produce lightning, damaging wind, hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding.

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Go inside a substantial building or hard-topped enclosed vehicle.

While indoors:

Stay away from windows and doors.
Avoid corded electrical equipment.
Avoid contact with plumbing, including sinks and showers.
Do not stand on porches or in open garages.
Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before returning outside.

Do not shelter under a tree. Do not lie flat on the ground. Tents, dugouts, pavilions, and small sheds do not provide safe lightning shelter.

Tornado Safety

During a tornado warning:

Go immediately to the identified safe location.
Move to the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
Choose a small interior room away from windows.
Protect your head and neck with your arms, a helmet, mattress, or sturdy covering when available.
Wear shoes to protect against debris.
Bring pets if they are immediately accessible and doing so does not delay sheltering.
Continue monitoring official information.

Do not open windows. Do not shelter in a large open room such as a gymnasium, auditorium, or cafeteria. Do not remain in a mobile home, tent, shed, or vehicle when a sturdy shelter is available.

If you are at work, school, a store, or another public location, follow staff instructions and move calmly to the designated shelter area.

Flood and Flash-Flood Safety

Flooding may develop gradually or very quickly. Flash floods can occur with little warning, including in places where it is not raining heavily at that moment.

Know whether your home, workplace, and common travel routes are flood prone.

During a flood warning:

Follow evacuation instructions immediately.
Move to higher ground when directed.
Avoid basements and low areas.
Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
Do not go around barricades.
Keep children and pets away from water.
Avoid contact with downed electrical lines.

Water can hide damaged roads, sharp objects, contamination, and strong currents. Turn around and choose another route.

High-Wind Safety

High winds can bring down trees and power lines, damage roofs, and turn unsecured objects into debris.

During a high-wind warning:

Stay inside a sturdy building.
Move away from windows.
Avoid rooms beneath large trees when another safe option exists.
Delay driving, especially in high-profile vehicles.
Stay away from downed lines.
Do not approach damaged trees or unstable structures.

Report downed power lines to the utility company or emergency services. Assume every line is energized. Keep people and animals away.

Winter-Storm Safety

Before snow, ice, or extreme cold:

Check heating systems and alarms.
Charge devices.
Fill necessary prescriptions.
Stock food and water.
Prepare warm clothing and blankets.
Winterize the vehicle and keep a vehicle emergency kit.
Avoid unnecessary travel when officials advise staying home.

During the storm:

Stay indoors when possible.
Dress in loose layers.
Keep clothing dry.
Limit time outside.
Avoid overexertion while shoveling.
Use safe heating practices.
Check on people at higher risk from cold.

Ice can make walking and driving dangerous even when snowfall is limited. Allow extra time and wear footwear with traction.

Extreme-Heat Safety

Before extreme heat:

Identify air-conditioned locations.
Check cooling equipment.
Store water.
Adjust outdoor plans.
Learn whether local cooling centers will open.
Check on people without reliable cooling.

During extreme heat:

Drink water regularly.
Reduce strenuous activity.
Use shade and air conditioning.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Never leave a child, adult, or animal in a parked vehicle.
Follow medical guidance about fluid limits or medications.

Confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, or very hot skin can indicate heat stroke. Call 911 and begin cooling the person immediately.

Hurricane and Tropical-Storm Preparation

These storms can bring damaging wind, prolonged power outages, heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes, and storm surge far from the storm’s center.

Before the storm:

Know your evacuation zone.
Know where you will go.
Leave when officials order an evacuation.
Secure outdoor items.
Protect windows using approved methods.
Charge devices and prepare supplies.
Move vehicles away from flood-prone areas when safe.
Keep important documents protected.
Prepare for several days without power.

Do not focus only on the storm category. Follow local forecasts and instructions about wind, flooding, rainfall, and storm surge.

Decide When to Change Travel Plans

The safest trip may be the one you postpone.

Before leaving, check:

Current warnings
Conditions along the entire route
Road closures
Public transportation changes
Expected conditions at your return time
Whether you could become stranded

Do not begin unnecessary travel during a tornado, flash-flood, blizzard, ice-storm, or other serious warning.

If already driving when conditions become dangerous, do not stop under an overpass for tornado protection. Follow official guidance, seek a sturdy shelter when possible, and never drive through flooded roads.

What to Do When a Warning Arrives

Use this sequence:

Stop: Pause what you are doing.
Read: Identify the hazard, location, timing, and action.
Confirm: Use an official or trusted source.
Act: Move to shelter, evacuate, or change plans immediately.
Communicate: Send a short message to people who need to know.
Monitor: Continue receiving updates until the warning ends.

Do not spend valuable time searching social media for dramatic videos. The weather does not become more official because someone added urgent music and seventeen exclamation marks.

After the Storm

Danger may continue after the weather appears to end.

Watch for:

Downed power lines
Floodwater
Gas leaks
Unstable trees and branches
Broken glass and sharp debris
Damaged buildings
Carbon monoxide
Contaminated food or water
Additional storms

Continue following official instructions. Do not enter a damaged building until authorities or qualified professionals say it is safe.

Photograph damage when safe. Contact insurance providers, landlords, utility companies, or emergency services as appropriate. Keep receipts and records of repairs and temporary expenses.

Use protective clothing during cleanup. Children and pets should remain away from debris, standing water, generators, and damaged areas.

Check on Other People Safely

If conditions permit, check on:

Older neighbors
People living alone
Anyone without transportation
People using powered medical equipment
Families with young children
Anyone who may not have received or understood the warning

Do not put yourself in danger to perform a check. Call, text, or contact emergency services when travel is unsafe.

Severe-Weather Preparation Checklist

Before the Season

Identify local hazards.
Sign up for alerts.
Choose shelter and evacuation locations.
Build an emergency supply kit.
Create a household communication plan.
Prepare for medical, disability, child, and animal needs.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Review insurance and important documents.
Practice the plan.

When Severe Weather Is Forecast

Check official forecasts and alerts.
Charge phones and backup batteries.
Refill necessary medication.
Secure outdoor objects.
Prepare food, water, lights, and radio.
Adjust travel and outdoor activities.
Bring animals inside.
Tell household members the plan.
Keep shoes, glasses, keys, and emergency bags accessible.

When a Warning Is Issued

Read the alert.
Take the instructed protective action.
Move to the correct shelter location.
Bring essential medication and communication tools if immediately available.
Help household members follow the plan.
Continue monitoring official information.

After the Weather Passes

Wait for official confirmation that immediate danger has passed.
Avoid floodwater, power lines, debris, and unstable structures.
Check for injuries and hazards.
Use generators and heating equipment safely.
Document damage.
Contact appropriate services.
Check on others without entering unsafe areas.
Restock the emergency kit.

Start With Three Actions

If this feels like too much, begin with three decisions:

Choose where you will shelter.
Turn on emergency alerts.
Put essential supplies in one known location.

Then build from there.

Severe-weather preparation is not about predicting every possible event. It is about recognizing official alerts, knowing the safest action for the hazard, and making sure the people in your household can respond without starting from zero.

When the warning arrives, the plan should already exist. Your job is to follow it.