At home:
Know the forecast and timeframes that the threats can impact your area.
Have at least two ways to get local information. Examples can include battery or wind-up NOAA weather radio, AM/FM radio, phone apps. If a generator is available, possibly a TV with antenna. Do not rely on any one thing, especially if cell towers have issues or Wi-Fi goes out.
Severe weather coverage will be available on KWBW 1450 AM/98.5 FM, Country 102.9 and My 93.1, as conditions in the area warrant. A reminder, in cases of severe weather outbreaks where there are many threats active at once, media will likely cover the most people under threat first, so as an example, if there is a storm threatening Wichita and one threatening Hutchinson at the same time, the TV stations will likely spend more time on the Wichita storm, if all threats are equal. However, in that same case, the Eagle Media stations would be focused on the Hutchinson storm, as that is our primary market.
Have a place to take shelter. A basement or the lowest level of a home. Stay away from windows. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.
Have a communication plan. Plan out how you will reconnect with family members, co-workers, friends etc. before, during and after the storm comes through. Have a plan where to meet up should all communication systems fail. Having an out-of-town contact can help as well.
Protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms and putting materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you.
In a car or truck:
There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car, just slightly less-dangerous ones.
If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado.
If you are caught by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes.
Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.
If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
If you go out:
do not rely on anyone else for your safety.
Ask the managers of the location you are in what their shelter plan is.
Expect mobile devices to not work just due to the sheer volume of others trying to use their devices at the same time.
Expect delays.
Expect a wide range of personalities. Fight or flight stress in people manifests itself in all kinds of ways, some not so great.
Final thoughts:
Do you know where your shelter is? Where you are going to shelter if not at home?
Where your loved ones will be? Do they have shelter?
Do your loved ones keep awareness, a plan, and know when to act?
Do they have personal protective items such as coats, hats, helmets, shoes etc.
Do you have the ability to help others? Do you need help?
Are you ready for extended power outages or other outages like water and gas?
Do you have phone numbers written down if your phone breaks? Do you have your insurance number and any forms you would need?
Make a plan, build a kit and stay informed.
If you need more tips, go to ready.gov.
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