Prepare Now for Severe Spring Weather

Life in West Texas means dealing with severe weather.  The American Red Cross has steps you can take to prepare for the challenges spring weather may present.

Download: Be Red Cross Ready - Tornado Safety Checklist

Tornadoes are a fact of life in the Texas.  These powerful events are capable of destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like missiles.  Follow these important guidelines about tornadoes if these damaging weather events are possible in your area:

• Know your community’s warning system.
• Identify a safe room where family members and pets can gather in a tornado. It could be your basement, storm cellar, or a windowless interior room on the lowest floor.
• Practice periodic tornado drills so that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching.
• Prepare for high winds by removing diseased or damaged limbs from trees.
• Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, or anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Watch for tornado danger signs, such as dark, often greenish clouds; a wall cloud; cloud of debris; large hail, a roaring noise, or a funnel cloud.

Be aware of what the warnings mean:

• A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.  Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight train
• A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.  Do not wait until you can see the tornado.

Safety steps to take during a tornado:

• If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects.
• Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes.  If you have access to sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home and immediately go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter. 
• If you are caught outdoors, go immediately to a basement or sturdy building.  If this isn’t possible, get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and drive to the closest shelter. 
• If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park.  Now you have the following options as a last resort.  You can stay in the car with the seat belt on and put your head down below the windows, covering yourself with your hands or a blanket if possible.  Or if you can safely get lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.  Your choice should be based on your specific circumstances. 

After a tornado

• Return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them immediately.
• Stay out of damaged buildings.
• If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly.  Call the gas company or fire department.
• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
• Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.  Do not use candles.

Get the facts you need — before, during, and after a disaster or emergency situation. There is more important information on how to be prepared for flooding, tornadoes, and other emergencies in the Preparedness section of our web site.