Tornado Safety Planning

As the severe weather season approaches, Longview Emergency Management and the National Weather Service want you to be prepared for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Take some time during tornado safety week to make a tornado plan for your family, friends and co­workers. Planning ahead will lower the chance of injury or even death in the even a tornado strikes.

Questions you should ask:


Do you know the basic safety rules? How about your home shelter area; would your children know what to do if home alone? Are plans ready to move elderly or disabled people to shelter quickly? Do you know the best source for obtaining warning information?

Let's think about these things and plan ahead. Basic severe weather preparedness plans must include:
  1. A thorough knowledge of safety rules.
  2. Selection and designation of the best shelter that you have.
  3. A reliable method of receiving warning information.
  4. Instructions for every person to follow when a watch or a warning is issued, or if threatening weather should develop without advance warning.
  5. Holding drills to test and practice the plan.
Don't wait until a warning is issued to begin planning how you will respond. Take responsibility for your safety and plan now. Have a plan. Meet with household members to discuss how to respond to an approaching tornado. Hold tornado drills. Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
Tornado Categories Descriptions
F­0: 40-72 mph  Chimney damage; tree branches broken
F­1: 73­-112 mph Mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned
F­2: 113-157 mph  Considerable damage; mobile homes demolished; trees uprooted
F­3: 158-206 mph Roofs/walls torn down; trains overturned; cars thrown
F­4: 207-­260 mph Well­-constructed walls leveled
F­5: 261­-318 mph                  Homes lifted off foundation, carried distances; cars thrown as far as 100 meters