On a warm spring evening in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Tracy Harden was closing up her family’s diner when the sky began to turn ominous. Moments later, her phone buzzed with urgent messages – a tornado warning was in effect (8 People Survive Tornado In Mississippi Restaurant's Walk-in Cooler). The lights flickered as a roar built outside. Tracy shouted one word to her staff and customers: “Cooler!” In a split second, eight people crammed into the restaurant’s walk-in refrigerator as the tornado bore down (8 People Survive Tornado In Mississippi Restaurant's Walk-in Cooler). Just as Tracy’s husband struggled to pull the heavy door shut, he glanced upward and saw the night sky – the roof had been torn off (8 People Survive Tornado In Mississippi Restaurant's Walk-in Cooler). The twister raged around them, but inside the concrete walls of the cooler, everyone huddled together and held on. When the winds died down, they emerged to find the diner demolished – yet all eight people who took shelter in that makeshift safe room survived without injury (8 People Survive Tornado In Mississippi Restaurant's Walk-in Cooler).
This harrowing incident is just one of many stories that underscore a vital truth: severe weather can turn an ordinary day into a life-or-death situation in minutes, but being prepared and knowing what to do can save lives. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms strike thousands of communities each year – the United States sees over 1,200 tornadoes annually (Tornado Safety – What You Should Do) – and no region is completely immune. In this blog post, we’ll explore specific action items you can take to prepare for tornadoes and intense thunderstorms. Through real recent case studies and survivor stories, we’ll highlight key lessons in a storytelling format to keep you engaged. By the end, you’ll have practical, actionable advice to help you and your family stay safe when the storm clouds gather.
When it comes to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, every second of warning counts. Many survivors credit early alerts and split-second decisions for their safety. Tracy Harden’s story above shows how crucial it was that she received the tornado warning in time to act. In her case, multiple channels sounded the alarm – texts from her mother and sister, an employee rushing in with news of the oncoming twister (8 People Survive Tornado In Mississippi Restaurant's Walk-in Cooler). Those warnings gave her only minutes (if not seconds) to get everyone to shelter. Being alert to the threat allowed her to act fast, and that made all the difference.
(Tornado Infographics) A NOAA Weather-Ready Nation infographic emphasizes preparing for tornadoes that strike at night. It shows a bedroom with a NOAA Weather Radio and a charged cellphone by the bedside, ready to wake a family if a warning is issued while they sleep. Having multiple alert methods is crucial, since tornadoes at night catch many people off guard. (Why nighttime tornadoes are so dangerous | Fox Weather) (How a NOAA weather radio may have saved an Alabama family from a tornado)
Tracy’s quick reaction illustrates a key preparedness step: have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and don’t hesitate when one arrives. Relying on just one source (like an outdoor siren or a phone app) can be risky – you might be asleep, or power and cell networks could fail in a storm. Equip your home with a NOAA Weather Radio and ensure your smartphone is set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (Tornado Infographics). A weather radio is designed to blare an alarm for tornado warnings 24/7, even if other systems go down. In fact, one Alabama family credits their NOAA weather radio for saving their lives during a 2021 tornado: the radio’s alarm woke them up, and they evacuated their bedroom moments before a tornado beam crashed through the very spot where they’d been sleeping (How a NOAA weather radio may have saved an Alabama family from a tornado). Had they not gotten that alert, the outcome could have been tragic. As one meteorologist noted, weather radios even worked during the Nashville tornado when cell towers failed, delivering warnings that otherwise would have been missed (How a NOAA weather radio may have saved an Alabama family from a tornado).
Don’t rely on hearing a siren – sirens are intended as outdoor alerts and may not wake you at night (Tornado Safety – What You Should Do). Instead, make sure you sign up for community alert systems or apps, keep your phone charged and audible, and have that weather radio with fresh batteries. This is especially important because tornadoes that strike at night are significantly more deadly than daytime storms. Studies show that nighttime tornadoes are more than twice as likely to result in fatalities, largely because people are asleep or unprepared in the dark (Why nighttime tornadoes are so dangerous | Fox Weather). The infographic above drives home the point: “Be Prepared for Nighttime Tornadoes” by keeping alert devices near your bed. If a warning sounds, every second matters – move to shelter immediately. Do not waste time going outside to look at the storm or confirming the tornado visually. If a tornado warning is issued (meaning a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar), you should already be on the way to your safe place (Tornado Safety – What You Should Do).
Early warnings are only as good as the actions you take when you get them. The next critical preparation is knowing exactly where to shelter – at home, at work, at school, or even in your car – if a tornado or severe storm hits. In the frantic moments of an approaching tornado, you won’t have time to debate the best refuge. Decide in advance where you and your loved ones will hunker down when the sirens wail (Tornado Safety).
Think back to Tracy Harden in Rolling Fork: she had likely never planned to use the walk-in cooler as a tornado shelter, but her quick thinking identified the sturdiest spot available. For the rest of us, we should determine our ideal shelter long before a storm is on the doorstep. In a house or typical building, the rule of thumb is get as low as possible and as interior as possible. The National Weather Service advises that the safest place is an interior room on the lowest floor, preferably a basement, with no windows (Tornado Safety). If you don’t have a basement, choose a small center room like a bathroom, closet, or hallway in the middle of the building (Tornado Safety). The goal is to put as many walls between you and the outside as you can – and avoid structures that could collapse or shatter (like glass windows). In Tracy’s story, the cooler acted as a tiny, windowless interior bunker – essentially serving the role of a storm shelter.
Contrast her situation with another family’s story that exemplifies superb preparedness: Andrew Phillips of Moss, Mississippi had a purpose-built safe room in his home. On Easter Sunday 2020, severe storms threatened his area. Because churches were closed due to the pandemic, Andrew was watching an online service with his wife and two young sons that morning (Mississippi deputy, wife among tornado victims, officer 'left this world a hero' shielding wife from storm | FOX6 Milwaukee). When a tornado warning was issued, he ushered his family into a closet-sized “safe room” constructed of cinder blocks that he had built inside his house (Mississippi deputy, wife among tornado victims, officer 'left this world a hero' shielding wife from storm | FOX6 Milwaukee). Moments later, a powerful tornado shredded virtually everything on his property – their house, vehicles, and business were destroyed – except the safe room, which was the only thing left standing (Mississippi deputy, wife among tornado victims, officer 'left this world a hero' shielding wife from storm | FOX6 Milwaukee). The Phillips family survived unharmed amid utter destruction. This incredible case study shows the value of planning ahead and investing in a proper shelter if you live in a tornado-prone region.
You may not have a custom safe room like the Phillips did (FEMA-rated safe rooms or underground storm shelters are the gold standard). But you can still identify the safest option available in your home or workplace and make sure everyone in the family knows that location by heart. Walk through your home and decide: Where would we go if we had 30 seconds to shelter from a tornado? Once you choose the spot, keep that area clear of clutter (you don’t want to be struggling to fit into a closet packed with storage boxes during an emergency). If possible, store some emergency supplies there (at least a flashlight, an old pair of sneakers to protect your feet from debris, and perhaps helmets or cushions to shield heads).
It’s also important to consider where not to shelter. Some places are downright dangerous in a tornado. Mobile homes, unfortunately, are among the worst places to ride out a tornado. Even tied-down mobile homes can be obliterated by tornadic winds. No mobile home is safe in a tornado, so if you live in one, plan to evacuate to a sturdier building or community shelter when tornado conditions arise (Tornado Safety – What You Should Do). If a warning is issued and you’re in a mobile home, get out and find a ditch or low spot if no other shelter is nearby – it may be uncomfortable, but it’s safer than staying inside a trailer that could disintegrate. Likewise, avoid large open spaces like gymnasiums or big box stores with wide-span roofs; those roofs can collapse in a tornado (as tragically seen in some past tornado disasters). Never shelter under a highway overpass – despite what you may have heard, overpasses are extremely dangerous wind tunnels for tornado debris. In fact, official tornado sheltering guidelines label vehicles and underpasses as some of the worst shelter options possible (Tornado Infographics). If you’re caught in a car with a tornado approaching and can’t drive away safely, parking and getting low in the car is a last resort, or better yet, exiting and lying flat in a ditch is preferable to being in a vehicle or under an overpass (Tornado Infographics). Cars and trucks are easily thrown by tornado winds (Tornado Safety), so you want to be out of them and into a grounded structure or low spot if at all possible.
Tornadoes often steal the spotlight, but severe thunderstorms themselves carry plenty of dangers – sometimes just as deadly. A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: damaging winds (58 mph or higher), large hail (1 inch diameter or more), or a tornado. Additionally, every thunderstorm produces lightning, which can be lethal even in storms that are below severe thresholds. When preparing for severe weather, it’s critical to treat intense thunderstorms with respect, even if a tornado isn’t in the picture. Let’s look at a recent example.
In July 2024, 17-year-old Daniel Sharkey was doing lawn work outside his home in Altamonte Springs, Florida, as dark clouds gathered on the horizon (Florida teen struck by lightning while doing lawn work | Fox Weather). It wasn’t raining yet, and there was no tornado – just an ordinary evening thunderstorm rolling in. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck a tree in the yard and traveled to Daniel, throwing him to the ground. In an instant, he went from mowing the lawn to fighting for his life. Miraculously, Daniel survived the lightning strike and recovered, later saying, “I am lucky to be alive” (Florida teen struck by lightning while doing lawn work | Fox Weather) (Florida teen struck by lightning while doing lawn work | Fox Weather). He admitted he didn’t realize how far lightning could reach ahead of a storm. The truth is, lightning can strike miles away from the rain core of a thunderstorm – even if the sky above you is clear or just starting to cloud over, you’re not safe outdoors. In Daniel’s case, the storm hadn’t fully arrived, yet a “bolt from the blue” got him (Florida teen struck by lightning while doing lawn work | Fox Weather). His story is a cautionary tale that when you hear thunder, you must act.
The rule of thumb from safety experts is simple: “When thunder roars, go indoors!” (Thunderstorms & Lightning | Ready.gov). If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. So at the first sound of thunder (or the first sight of lightning), immediately seek shelter inside a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle. Do not shelter under trees or flimsy structures – many lightning victims are those who took cover under a tall tree and the tree was hit. Once indoors, stay there for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder (lightning can strike even when the storm seems to be moving away). Inside your home, there are a few more precautions: avoid using corded electrical appliances and plumbing during a thunderstorm. Lightning can send a surge through phone lines, electrical wires, and even plumbing. So it’s best to wait to take that shower or wash dishes until the storm has passed (Thunderstorms & Lightning | Ready.gov). Unplug sensitive electronics if you have time, or use surge protectors to guard against lightning-related power surges (Thunderstorms & Lightning | Ready.gov).
Severe thunderstorm winds can be as destructive as weak tornadoes. Straight-line winds (often from downbursts) have toppled walls and roofs, and uprooted trees onto houses. In May 2022, a derecho (a long-lived windstorm) blasted through parts of the Midwest with wind gusts over 80 mph, leaving widespread damage and power outages. The takeaway: if a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, take it seriously. Stay away from windows (in extreme winds or large hail, windows can shatter and send glass flying). If you have time before the storm hits, secure loose outdoor items or move them inside – patio furniture, trampolines, trash cans, and yard tools can become dangerous projectiles in high winds (Prepare! Don't Let Severe Weather Take You by Surprise). Close all doors and windows to reinforce the envelope of your house.
Hail is another hazard: large hailstones (golf-ball sized, tennis ball sized, or bigger) can break windows, damage roofs, and certainly injure anyone caught outside. If a storm is producing large hail, treat it like a serious danger – get indoors and away from windows and skylights. Park your car in a garage or under cover if possible to prevent hail damage (but only if you have enough time to do so safely before the storm arrives).
Lastly, flash flooding often accompanies severe thunderstorms, especially those that stall or repeat over one area. You might have heard the phrase “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” – it’s repeated because it saves lives. More people die from flooding each year than from any other thunderstorm hazard. If heavy rain is flooding roads or low spots, do not attempt to drive or walk through the water. It takes just six inches of fast-moving water to knock an adult off their feet, and only about a foot of water can sweep a vehicle away (Thunderstorms & Lightning | Ready.gov). It’s sobering to realize how powerful even a small stream of runoff can be. So never drive through flooded streets – it’s hard to judge the depth or current, and the road could be washed out beneath. Wait for the water to subside, or find an alternate route. If you’re at home and in a flood-prone area, be prepared to move to higher ground if water starts rising.
We’ve covered staying informed and finding shelter when a storm is imminent. Equally important is what you do before any storms are on the horizon – the general emergency planning and practice that will make those critical actions second nature. Having a plan and practicing it can dramatically increase your odds of getting through a disaster unharmed. Preparedness isn’t just a one-time task; it’s a lifestyle habit of always being “weather-ready.”
Start with a family emergency plan. Sit down with your household (including kids, elderly relatives, and even pets in mind) and discuss what to do in various scenarios. For tornadoes, make sure everyone knows the location of the safe room or shelter and under what conditions to go there. Decide on a chain of communication – for example, if a severe storm hits when the family is separated (kids at school, parents at work), how will you check in with each other? It’s often wise to have an out-of-town emergency contact that each family member can reach, in case local phone lines are jammed. Plan where you would meet if your neighborhood is impacted and you can’t return home immediately. The American Red Cross suggests choosing two meeting places: one right near your home (in case of a sudden event like a fire), and another outside your immediate neighborhood in case you can’t access your home or are evacuated (Tornado Safety – What You Should Do). Also, ensure everyone knows how to shut off utilities (water, gas, electricity) if needed after a disaster, and keep emergency phone numbers handy.
Next, assemble an emergency supply kit that you can grab during any severe weather event or evacuation. This kit will be invaluable not just for tornadoes, but for any disaster (hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, etc.). At minimum, include essentials that can sustain your family for a few days if you lose power and water or have to shelter in place. According to Red Cross guidelines, a basic emergency kit should contain:
Keep your emergency kit refreshed by checking it twice a year (when clocks change for daylight saving can be a good reminder) – replace expired food, update documents, and swap out season-specific items (like adding extra blankets in winter).
Finally, practice, practice, practice. It’s one thing to talk about a plan; it’s another to execute it under pressure. Conduct regular drills for your family’s tornado plan. The NWS recommends practicing going to your safe place at least once a year (Prepare! Don't Let Severe Weather Take You by Surprise). Make it fun for kids so they don’t get scared – perhaps time the drill and reward everyone for a fast, calm execution. By doing drills, you build muscle memory. If a real tornado warning happens at 2 AM, everyone is more likely to instinctively head to the safe room because you’ve walked through it before. Some communities have annual tornado drills (often during Severe Weather Awareness Week) – participate in those and treat it as if it were an actual emergency.
(Tornado Infographics) A NOAA/OSHA safety poster highlights core tornado preparedness steps that apply to households as well as workplaces. It advises identifying shelter locations (interior rooms on the lowest level), ensuring you have warning alerts (like weather radios and systems to account for everyone), storing emergency supplies (first aid kits, food, water, etc. with a NOAA radio in shelter areas), and training or drilling so that everyone knows what to do when severe weather strikes. These steps form a strong foundation for any tornado readiness plan. (Prepare! Don't Let Severe Weather Take You by Surprise) (Prepare! Don't Let Severe Weather Take You by Surprise)
Notice how the poster above, though intended for employers, mirrors what every family should do: Find the safe spots, get warning systems in place, stock up on essentials, and practice the plan. The key to surviving a tornado or any severe storm truly “lies in planning, preparing, and practicing” what you will do if disaster strikes (Tornado Safety). When you’ve rehearsed your response, it reduces panic and confusion. In a tornado, flying debris causes most injuries and deaths (Tornado Safety), so knowing to immediately get down and cover your head in your shelter can keep you from becoming a statistic. Preparation can also help psychologically; children (and adults) cope better in emergencies when they have a sense of what actions to take.
In addition to drills, stay educated. Take a basic first aid and CPR class if you can, as recommended by the Red Cross (Tornado Safety – What You Should Do) – you might need to treat injuries after a storm while waiting for responders. Encourage neighbors and extended family to make their plans too, because community preparedness can literally save lives next door. If you have neighbors who are elderly or have mobility issues, include checking on them in your plan.
Severe weather will always be scary and unpredictable – we can’t eliminate the threats of tornadoes or fierce thunderstorms. But as these real stories of survival show, being prepared is a powerful defense. Tracy Harden’s quick thinking to shelter in a cooler saved eight lives when the odds were against them. The Phillips family’s foresight to build a safe room meant they had a fortress when everything else was blown away. A weather radio’s piercing alarm gave an Alabama family a precious ten-minute head start to avoid a direct hit on their bedroom (How a NOAA weather radio may have saved an Alabama family from a tornado). And a teenager in Florida learned that respecting the phrase “when thunder roars, go indoors” is not just a saying, but a rule that spared him from worse harm (Florida teen struck by lightning while doing lawn work | Fox Weather).
By staying alert to warnings, sheltering smartly in sturdy locations, understanding all the hazards a storm can bring, and planning and practicing well before storms appear, you stack the deck in favor of your safety. Preparedness may feel like work, or even seem paranoid to some – until the day it pays off. On that day, when the wind howls and the hail pounds or a funnel cloud threatens, you won’t regret a single minute you spent getting ready. You’ll take action decisively, help those around you, and increase the chances that everyone comes out okay on the other side.
Every tornado’s roar eventually fades. Every storm runs out of rain. The goal is for you and your family to be there when the sun comes out again, safe and sound, ready to rebuild if needed. By following the actionable steps outlined here – from keeping a weather ear open, to knowing your safe place, to having supplies and a plan – you can face the threat of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms with more confidence and control. Nature’s fury is formidable, but with preparedness and presence of mind, you can weather any storm. Stay safe out there!
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