Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Tornado safety tips

The National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross offer these tips on preparing for a tornado:

Tornado safety

- Develop a plan for yourself and your family, at home, at work or at school.

- Know your community and keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement.

- Have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio, with weather alarm and battery back up to receive warnings.

- Listen for warnings on radio and TV.

- Listen to forecasts.

If a warning is Issued

- In a home or building, move to a predesignated shelter, such as a basement.

- If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the building’s lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.

- Stay away from windows.

- Get out of automobiles and seek shelter in a building. If a building is not available, seek a ditch or low-lying area. Be aware of the possibility of flooding.

- Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. Instead, get out of the vehicle and seek shelter.

- Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection and should be abandoned in the event of a tornado warning.

More information can be found at www.nssl.noaa.gov/NWSTornado.