I have met. so many people in real life who do not know what "Tornado Watch" means, who do not know what "Tornado Warning" means.
literally 9 out of 10 (aka 90%) of people I meet think that "Tornado Watch" is the more dangerous alert, and think "Tornado Warning" is less severe.
Most people I meet who hear 'Tornado Warning' think it's a good idea to go outside and look at the cool clouds.
FEMA or whoever needs to officially change these stupid-ass names, or do one HELL of a public awareness campaign, because this can and will get people killed; there's already been multiple deadly tornadoes just this week.
[ID: Caption from article: A powerful tornado near Waverly Road in the Lincoln, Nebraska, metro area on April 26, 2024. It shows a vast flat field with a massive tornado in the distance, funneling down from storm clouds in the foreground, while a bright and blue sky is visible behind the destructive storm, with houses in the distance. end ID]
Tornado Watch: Watch out, and be cautious! -- Keep an ear out for alerts, and make sure you know where you need to take shelter! A tornado could possibly form in this storm, and you need to be ready.
- Tornado Watch is a good time to secure your pets in your safe area (in carriers/crates), grab important documents/belongings, make sure your valuable electronics are unplugged, etc.
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- Make sure you have flashlights (Ideally, that are not just your cellphone) with working batteries. If you have an emergency radio, keep it turned on and tuned to a local radio station. Bring bottled water and non-perishable food to your safe area.
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- If you have a basement, make sure there is a clear area for you to shelter in, and that everyone can get down the stairs/ladder safely.
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- If you do not have a basement, go to the lowest floor of your home, in a room away from as many windows as possible; if this room is your bathroom, take down the shower curtain rod (so it can't fall on you), and take down any other loose objects that could fall.
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- Bring some spare blankets and pillows into your safe area, both for comfort and extra protection.
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- Make sure your family knows that if a warning is sounded, or if signs of a tornado are seen or heard outside your home, that they need to go to the safe area immediately.
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- Make sure in advance that your family is wearing appropriate shoes + clothing in case of emergency, and that everyone has their phones charged and on hand.
Tornado Warning = Warning! A Tornado is currently forming or is already formed! -- Take shelter immediately on the lowest floor of your home away from windows!
- Drop what you're doing and get to your safe area. You no longer have time for preparation-- your only focus now is getting to your safe area!
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- Alert family members, if they're not in the safe area already.
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- Once you are all in your safe area, close the door, have everyone huddle together as low to the ground as you can get, and wrap everyone up in your spare blankets, putting pillows over your heads, etc.
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- Try to keep everyone calm, if at all possible.
