Severe Weather, Tornadoes Threaten Millions – Get Ready Now

Millions of people across multiple states are facing the possibility of severe weather and tornadoes and the American Red Cross urges anyone in the path of these storms to monitor their local weather and get ready now.

The National Weather Service reports severe weather, flash flooding and tornadoes may occur from Tennessee to Michigan. The greatest threat will be over the Great Lakes region, including Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis, where strong tornadoes are possible.

The Red Cross is monitoring this weather system and preparing to respond if necessary.

PREPARE NOW Take these three steps to make sure you and your loved ones are ready for emergencies:

1. Build a kit in case you have to evacuate or lose power. An emergency kit should contain food, water and other basic supplies to last at least three days for each family member. Also, don’t forget to include essential medications, copies of important documents and special items for children and pets.
2. Make a plan. An emergency plan should include what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you have to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans. Include pets in your emergency plans. It’s important to plan in advance to know which pet-friendly hotels are in your area and where your pets can stay in an emergency situation.
3. Be informed. Know how Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels. Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.

TORNADO SAFETY Watch for tornado danger signs: dark and greenish clouds, a wall cloud or cloud of debris.

• During a tornado warning, go to your safe place immediately, whether it’s a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. A small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
• If you live in a mobile home, find a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. No mobile home is safe in a tornado. If you have access to a sturdy shelter or vehicle, go there immediately.
• If you’re outside, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, immediately get in a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt.
• Stay away from bridges or highway overpasses.
• If strong winds and flying debris occur while driving, pull over and park. Keep on your seat belt and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows and cover your head with your hands and a blanket.
• Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.