Tornadoes
Key Concerns
Tornadoes pose a significant threat due to their sudden onset and extreme force, often leaving little time to react. For older adults, the danger is even greater due to limited mobility, hearing or vision impairments, and difficulty accessing safe shelter quickly. Power outages, debris, and blocked exits can further delay escape or rescue. Without proper warning systems or support, older individuals are at high risk of injury, disorientation, or even entrapment during and after a tornado. Being unprepared can lead to serious harm or fatal consequences in just minutes.
How to Limit & Avoid Risks Associated with Tornadoes
- Stay informed by using a NOAA weather radio, emergency alert apps, or local news to receive tornado warnings in real time.
- Create a tornado emergency plan that includes clear instructions for quickly reaching shelter, especially if mobility is limited.
- Designate a safe space such as a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
- Install handrails or non-slip flooring in shelter areas to help older adults move quickly and safely.
- Keep a “go bag” ready with essentials like medications, water, flashlight, emergency contacts, and a phone charger.
- Arrange for caregiver or neighbor check-ins, especially if living alone or with limited mobility.
- Practice tornado drills at least twice a year to ensure familiarity with escape routes and timing.
- Avoid using elevators during a tornado warning—always use stairs if evacuation is necessary.
- Secure heavy furniture and wall hangings that could fall or block exits during intense winds.
- Label medical devices and instructions in your emergency kit in case assistance is needed after the storm.
- Register for local emergency assistance programs that support older adults during natural disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Why are tornadoes especially dangerous for older adults?
Older adults may have limited mobility, hearing or vision impairments, and slower response times, which can make it harder to reach shelter quickly or recognize warning signs—putting them at greater risk of injury or entrapment during a tornado.
Q.2 What’s the safest place to go during a tornado if I don’t have a basement?
If there’s no basement, go to a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor, such as a bathroom, hallway, or closet. Avoid rooms with windows or exterior walls.
Q.3 How will I know if a tornado is coming?
Use a NOAA weather radio, emergency alert apps, or sign up for local alert systems to receive real-time warnings, especially if you don’t always watch TV or check your phone.
Q.4 What should I include in my tornado emergency kit?
Your kit should include medications, water, flashlight, batteries, a whistle, important documents, contact numbers, and a cell phone charger. If you use mobility aids or medical devices, pack backups or labels with instructions.
Q.5 Is it safe to use an elevator during a tornado warning?
No. Always use stairs, as power outages or building damage during a tornado can trap you inside an elevator.
Q.6 What if I live alone and can’t move quickly to shelter?
Arrange for a neighbor, caregiver, or family member to check on you during storms, and register with local emergency services that support older adults during disasters.
References & Helpful Articles
- https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
- https://uwc.211ct.org/how-to-prepare-and-safely-weather-a-hurricanetornado/
- https://www.cdc.gov/tornadoes/safety/stay-safe-during-a-tornado-safety.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/tornadoes/safety/stay-safe-after-a-tornado-safety.html
- https://blogs.cdc.gov/yourhealthyourenvironment/2016/04/01/staying-safe-in-a-tornado/
- https://www.osha.gov/tornado/preparedness
- https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Tornado
- https://www.weather.gov/mqt/tornadotips#:~:text=Get%20to%20the%20lowest%20level,support%20or%20deflect%20falling%20debris
- https://emergency.cdc.gov/shelterinplace.asp