7 Severe Storm Safety Practices That Could Save Your Life

When severe weather strikes, your safety depends on preparation and quick decision-making. From thunderstorms and tornadoes to hurricanes and blizzards, these powerful forces of nature can pose serious threats to you and your loved ones without warning.

Understanding the essential safety practices before, during, and after severe storms can literally save your life. Whether you’re at home, in your car, or outdoors when severe weather hits, knowing exactly what actions to take can make all the difference in staying protected from harm.

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Preparing Before the Storm: Creating an Emergency Plan

Building a Family Communication Strategy

Creating a reliable communication plan is crucial when storms separate family members. Establish a primary contact person, preferably someone outside your immediate area who won’t be affected by the same storm. Program emergency contacts into everyone’s phones under “ICE” (In Case of Emergency). Determine specific meeting locations—one near home and another outside your neighborhood—in case evacuation becomes necessary. Practice this plan regularly with children to ensure everyone knows exactly what to do when communications go down.

Assembling an Emergency Supply Kit

Your emergency kit should sustain your household for at least 72 hours without outside help. Include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, medications, first aid supplies, flashlights, and extra batteries. Don’t forget personal hygiene items, cash in small denominations, copies of important documents in waterproof containers, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Update your kit seasonally and check expiration dates on food, water, and medications to ensure everything remains usable when you need it most.

Securing Your Home Against Storm Damage

Protecting your property against severe storms requires strategic preparation and preventive measures. Taking action before a storm hits can significantly reduce potential damage and keep your family safer.

Reinforcing Windows and Doors

Install impact-resistant storm shutters or plywood (at least 5/8-inch thick) to shield windows during high winds. Secure entry doors with deadbolts and reinforced frames that can withstand pressure changes. Consider upgrading to impact-resistant glass for frequently affected areas. For sliding doors, install horizontal bracing bars to prevent them from being blown off their tracks during intense storms.

Clearing Your Property of Potential Hazards

Trim trees regularly, removing dead branches that could become projectiles in high winds. Secure outdoor furniture, grills, and decorations by storing them inside or anchoring them firmly to the ground. Replace gravel or rock landscaping with shredded bark to minimize flying debris. Check gutters and downspouts monthly during storm season, ensuring they’re clear of blockages that could cause water damage during heavy rainfall.

Understanding Weather Alerts and Warning Systems

Differentiating Between Watches and Warnings

Weather watches signal potential severe weather that may develop within the next 24-36 hours. They’re your early heads-up to stay alert and review your emergency plans. Warnings, however, require immediate action—they indicate severe weather is imminent or already occurring in your area. Remember: watches mean “be prepared,” while warnings mean “take action now.” This distinction can be life-saving during thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash floods.

Setting Up Multiple Alert Methods

Don’t rely on just one alert system during severe weather. Install the NOAA Weather Radio app on your smartphone and enable government alerts in your settings. Purchase a battery-powered weather radio with SAME technology that activates automatically during emergencies. Sign up for your community’s emergency notification system and follow local meteorologists on social media for real-time updates. These redundant alert methods ensure you’ll receive critical warnings even if power or cell service fails.

Finding the Safest Location During Different Storm Types

Knowing exactly where to take shelter during specific types of severe weather can make the critical difference between safety and serious injury. Different storms require different protective strategies based on their unique hazards.

Identifying Safe Rooms for Tornadoes

During a tornado, seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor, preferably a basement or storm cellar. If these aren’t available, choose a small, windowless room like a bathroom or closet near the center of your home. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors, and protect yourself with blankets, mattresses, or a sturdy table to shield against flying debris. Avoid rooms with wide-span roofs like gymnasiums or shopping centers if in public places.

Evacuation Protocols for Hurricanes and Flooding

For hurricanes and flooding, follow official evacuation orders immediately—don’t wait or second-guess authorities. Plan multiple evacuation routes to higher ground, and leave early before roads become impassable. If evacuation isn’t possible, move to the highest floor of your building, but avoid attics without escape routes. Bring your emergency kit, secure important documents in waterproof containers, and turn off utilities before leaving. Remember: vehicles can be swept away in just 12 inches of water.

Protecting Yourself from Lightning Strikes

Indoor Safety Measures During Thunderstorms

When lightning strikes, your home offers the best protection if you take proper precautions. Stay away from windows, doors, and porches as lightning can travel through metal wires and plumbing. Avoid using corded phones, electrical equipment, and plumbing fixtures including sinks, baths, and showers during thunderstorms. Unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage from power surges, and avoid concrete floors and walls which may contain metal reinforcement that conducts electricity. Creating a designated safe room in your home’s interior can provide quick shelter when storms approach.

Outdoor Emergency Precautions

If caught outside during a lightning storm, seek shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle immediately. Never shelter under trees, which attract lightning and can cause deadly side flashes. Move away from open fields, hilltops, and ridge lines where you’re the tallest object. If you feel your hair stand on end (indicating lightning is about to strike), squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet with your head tucked and hands over your ears. Remember the 30-30 rule: if thunder follows lightning within 30 seconds, seek shelter and remain there for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

Navigating Flooded Areas Safely

Driving Safety Rules in High Water

Never drive through flooded roadways—just 12 inches of moving water can sweep away most vehicles. Always follow the “turn around, don’t drown” principle when encountering flooded roads. If water begins rising around your vehicle, abandon it immediately and move to higher ground. Stay alert for washed-out bridges, compromised road surfaces, and downed power lines hidden beneath floodwaters. Remember that nighttime flooding is particularly dangerous as depth and current speed are difficult to assess in darkness.

Avoiding Contaminated Floodwaters

Floodwaters often contain sewage, chemicals, and dangerous debris that pose serious health risks. Avoid all direct contact with flood water, wearing waterproof boots and gloves if interaction is unavoidable. Keep open wounds completely protected from floodwater to prevent infection. Discard any food or medications that have contacted floodwaters—they’re unsafe regardless of packaging. After exposure, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, using alcohol-based sanitizers when clean water isn’t available. Children and pets should be kept away from all flooded areas.

Recovering After the Storm Has Passed

Staying safe during severe weather requires proactive planning vigilance and quick decision-making. By implementing these seven best practices you’ve taken significant steps toward protecting yourself and your loved ones from nature’s most dangerous events.

Remember that preparation isn’t just about surviving the storm but also managing the aftermath. Keep your emergency contacts updated revisit your safety plan seasonally and practice your evacuation routes with family members.

The weather may be unpredictable but your response doesn’t have to be. With proper preparation and knowledge you’ll be equipped to face severe storms confidently. Your safety is worth every precaution taken today for tomorrow’s unexpected weather events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in an emergency supply kit for severe weather?

Your emergency supply kit should contain enough supplies to sustain your household for at least 72 hours. Include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, first aid kit, and copies of important documents in waterproof containers. Don’t forget items for infants, elderly, or those with special needs, and regularly check expiration dates to keep supplies fresh.

How can I prepare my home for a severe storm?

Reinforce windows and doors with impact-resistant shutters or plywood, secure entry doors with deadbolts, and consider upgrading to impact-resistant glass. Trim trees and branches that could fall on your home, secure outdoor furniture and items that could become projectiles, and ensure gutters and downspouts are clear to prevent water damage. Having a designated safe room in your home is also recommended for extreme weather events.

What’s the difference between a weather watch and a warning?

A weather watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather development within the next 24-36 hours, so you should prepare and stay alert. A warning indicates severe weather is imminent or already occurring, requiring immediate action. Warnings are more urgent than watches and mean you should take shelter or follow safety protocols immediately depending on the type of weather event.

Where is the safest place during a tornado?

During a tornado, seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor, preferably a basement or storm cellar. Stay away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and protect your head with blankets or a mattress. In a public building, follow emergency shelter signs. Mobile homes are never safe during tornadoes—evacuate to a designated shelter or sturdy building.

What should I do during a lightning storm?

Stay indoors and avoid windows, doors, and porches. Don’t use corded phones or electrical equipment, and unplug sensitive electronics. Avoid contact with plumbing and concrete floors. If caught outside, seek shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle. Stay away from trees and elevated areas. Follow the 30-30 rule: seek shelter if thunder follows lightning within 30 seconds; remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder.

How should I respond to flooding?

Follow the “turn around, don’t drown” principle—never drive through flooded roadways as just 12 inches of moving water can sweep away most vehicles. If water begins rising around your vehicle, abandon it and move to higher ground. Avoid contact with floodwater, which may contain sewage and chemicals. If evacuation is ordered, leave immediately using planned routes to higher ground and take only essential items.

How can I receive severe weather alerts?

Set up multiple alert methods to ensure you’re notified during severe weather. Install the NOAA Weather Radio app on your phone, purchase a battery-powered weather radio, sign up for your community’s emergency notification system, enable wireless emergency alerts on your mobile devices, and follow local meteorologists on social media. These redundant systems ensure you receive warnings even if one method fails.

What should a family communication plan include?

A family communication plan should designate a primary contact outside your immediate area, include contact information for all family members and emergency services programmed into everyone’s phones, and identify meeting locations for various scenarios. Establish both a neighborhood meeting spot and an out-of-area location in case evacuation is necessary. Practice your plan regularly and ensure all family members know what to do.

Is it safe to use electronic devices during a thunderstorm?

No, it’s not safe to use corded electronic devices during a thunderstorm, as lightning can travel through electrical systems. Avoid using corded phones, computers, and other plugged-in electronics. Battery-operated devices like cell phones and laptops are generally safe if not connected to wall chargers. As an added precaution, unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges caused by lightning strikes.

What should I do after a severe weather event?

After severe weather passes, check for injuries and provide first aid if needed. Report severe injuries to emergency services. Check your property for damage, particularly to utility lines, gas lines, and structural components. Document damage with photos for insurance purposes. Listen to local authorities for updates on safety concerns, boil water notices, or other instructions. Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or have special needs.