How will you receive a warning?
Do not rely on a siren you may not hear. Use several methods: a weather radio with battery backup, phone alerts, local radio and television, and a community alert system if your county offers one. Learn the difference between a watch, which means conditions are favorable, and a warning, which means a tornado has been seen or indicated and you should take shelter now.
The National Weather Service office for your region issues these products. Ask your county emergency management office what alert systems it recommends.
If you rent or manage land for someone else, talk to them about warning systems and shelter long before spring, so that employees and visitors are not left without a plan.
- Weather radio with batteries
- Phone emergency alerts turned on
- A second method in case power or signal fails
- A habit of checking the forecast on severe weather days
Where should you take shelter?
The safest place is typically the lowest level of a sturdy building, in an interior space away from windows. A storm shelter or safe room built to recognized guidelines offers the best protection. FEMA and Ready.gov provide general guidance on shelter, and your county emergency office can explain what is appropriate locally.
Mobile homes and vehicles are not safe during a tornado. Plan to move to a more substantial building well ahead of time, since you may have only minutes.
What should be in your shelter?
Keep a kit where you will shelter: water, a flashlight, batteries, a radio, first aid supplies, sturdy shoes, a whistle, any medications and copies of important papers. Include sturdy helmets or other head protection if you can, because flying debris is a leading cause of injury.
Make sure every person, including children and guests, knows where the shelter is and how to get there. Practice it as you would a fire drill.
Check the shelter itself after each season: look for water, insects and blocked doors, and replace stale supplies.
What about livestock and pets?
It is rarely possible to protect large animals during a tornado itself. Make decisions beforehand: opening gates so animals can move might help them escape debris but risks them getting onto roads, so ask your veterinarian or extension office what suits your situation. Identification, such as tags, brands or microchips, makes reuniting easier. Do not risk your life to save an animal.
Pets and small animals can often be brought into the shelter in carriers, if there is room and time.
- Mark animals with durable identification
- Photograph your animals and keep records
- Decide in advance what you will do with each species
- Never put yourself in danger to move animals
What do you do when a warning is issued?
Go to shelter immediately. Do not stop to open windows, watch the storm, or finish a chore. Cover your head and neck, stay low and stay put until the danger passes and officials say it is safe. If you are outdoors in the open, follow the guidance for finding the safest nearby place, and ask your emergency office in advance how to plan for that.
Stay away from outer walls and windows. Do not use elevators or rely on weak structures such as large barns with open spans.
How do you recover safely afterward?
Expect hazards: broken glass, nails, exposed wires, gas leaks, unstable structures and sharp debris. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves, avoid damaged buildings, and report downed lines and gas smells. Check on neighbors, since rural households may be isolated.
Document the damage with photos before cleanup, and contact your insurer and local officials. If you are shaken or struggling, remember that you can call or text 988 in the US to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Disasters leave emotional marks as well as physical ones.
How do you keep the plan current?
Review the plan each spring before severe weather season. Check batteries, update phone numbers and walk through the route to shelter. Talk to your kids and employees about what to do when no adult is nearby.
Ask your county emergency management office about local resources, shelter options and how they notify rural residents.
Include visitors in your plan. Farm stands, workshops and hired help mean people who do not know your property may be there, so a clear verbal briefing about shelter is worth the minute it takes.
Key takeaways
- Use more than one way to receive warnings, since sirens may not reach rural properties.
- Know where your safe space is and get everyone there quickly when a warning is issued.
- Decide ahead of time what you will do with animals, and do not risk your life for them.
- After a tornado, watch for hazards, document damage and check on neighbors.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.