During severe weather, specifically for a Tornado incident, warnings will be issued to the public. The weather will become very dangerous in a short amount of time. Ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared, well informed, and limit taking dangerous risks to avoid serious injury.

The first thing you should do is make sure your phone has Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled. This will allow you to receive messages from authorized government authorities regarding public safety emergencies.

Stay weather-ready by following trusted news sources for weather information. Trusted news sources include local news stations, the National Weather Service, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Follow these groups on social media as well.

Harris County community members can sign up for Ready Harris Alerts through ReadyHarris.org. These alerts will help you stay up to date about evolving weather threats.

Community members who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or deaf/blind can sign up for Ready Harris Accessible Alerts. Alert messages feature videos with American Sign Language as well as English and Spanish voice and text.

If a tornado warning is issued while you are at your home, designate an interior room of your home that has no windows.

If a tornado watch is issued while you are at your workplace or school, familiarize yourself with the designated tornado shelter area. When you move to the shelter area, avoid windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.

If a tornado watch is issued while you are outdoors, seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately. Try to avoid seeking shelter in sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, or tents as these structures are not safe.

If a tornado watch is issued while you are in a vehicle, drive to the closest building. If you are unable to make it to a building, get down in your car and cover your head. If neither option is available, seek shelter in low-lying areas such as a ditch.

Remember to stay up to date with weather reports. Familiarize yourself with local safety shelters. Always have clothes, supplies, and emergency kits ready in case you are displaced for several days.

Resources: www.weather.gov/safety/tornado and www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-during