Before a Tornado
- A storm can strike suddenly and it may occur when family members are in different places, so develop a family communications plan.
- Make a Ready kit for at least three days of self-sufficiency. Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a tornado hazard.
- A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.
- A tornado warning means either a tornado is occurring or expected to develop shortly in your area, and you need to take shelter immediately.
- Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.
- Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
- If underground shelter is not available, an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible in the best option.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- Consider building a safe room. You can find plans for building or reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
- Camden County uses CodeRED to send alerts for tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings. We encourage you to make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published How to Prepare for a Tornado (PDF), to give you more information about what you can do to prepare.