Nothing is more important during tornado season than ensuring the safety of your family and property. The key to preparing for a tornado is to know when tornado season is, understand the difference between tornado watches and warnings, and make sure you receive alerts when severe weather is forecast in your area.
When is Tornado Season?
Be aware that tornadoes can form at any time of day or night and during any month of the year. Still, they are most common in the mid-afternoon to mid-evening between March and June. About 60% of all US tornadoes strike during this four-month “tornado season” when atmospheric energy is at its highest. Also, while tornadoes have occurred in every state, most of them happen in the Great Plains east of the Rocky Mountains in a region dubbed “Tornado Alley.”
Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning
While designed to warn the public, weather alerts can be confusing, especially when several different threats are present at once. That’s why everyone should know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
- A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. The alert may span several states and last for four to eight hours. This is the time to act! Bring loose objects inside, close windows and doors, and prepare to find shelter if you’re outside.
- A tornado warning means a confirmed or suspected tornado is in your area. This information is based on weather radar and eyewitness reports. If a tornado warning is issued, take shelter immediately. Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of the building you’re in, and cover yourself with pillows and blankets to minimize injury from flying debris. If you’re outside or in a mobile home and can’t get to a permanent structure in time, lie down in a low spot on the ground and cover your head with your arms.
Make Sure You Receive Severe Weather Alerts
The nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is in place to alert everyone with a WEA-compatible phone of weather events in their area. No signup is required for this service, but you may want to set up alerts and warnings from your local Emergency Management Office. This ensures you remain informed of localized emergencies and evacuation orders.
It’s also beneficial to have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio on hand. Set it up in a central location in your home, and your family will stay informed of to-the-minute alerts about severe tornado weather near you.
You can even install a home weather station to give you an edge during severe weather. The digital readout displays barometric pressure changes, rainfall rates, wind speeds, and other information from your very own backyard.
Tornado damage can be devastating. If your home has been affected, turn to DKI for help. We respond to emergency calls immediately and will arrive onsite within two hours. Call us at 877-533-0210 or contact us online to request emergency restoration services from us today.