Prepare Your Home and Family for Tornado Season

Tornado season in Minnesota can be devastating. With an average of 46 tornadoes per year in the state, it’s important to know how to protect your home and family against this powerful force of nature, since tornadoes can strike with little warning.

In Minnesota, tornadoes are not an everyday threat, but it’s never too early to create an emergency plan in the event one touches down in your neighborhood. Preparation is the key to keeping your family safe, and the time to plan is now before the storm sirens sound. The following guide can you weather tornado season.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, tornado season in Minnesota runs from late April through September, with peak activity between June and July. Since Minnesota lies along the northern edge of Tornado Alley (parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota), summer is a ripe time for activity because tornadoes move north and west across the continental United States. The warm air of summer mixing with cool northern fronts creates ideal conditions for not only tornadoes but also severe thunderstorms, so now is the perfect time to create an emergency plan.

Just like an Emergency Response Plan for commercial businesses, every homeowner needs to have a plan in the event of an emergency, whether it’s a home fire, a flooded basement, or a tornado. Having a clear plan in place can save lives. Here’s how to create one for your household:

1. Designate a Safe Space

Designate a secure location in your home as your family’s meeting point if a tornado approaches your neighborhood. Your best options are:

• The basement, away from windows and patio doors
• If you don’t have a basement, an interior room on the lowest floor will work, such as a bathroom or beneath the stairwell

Always stay away from upper levels, windows, corners, and exterior walls, as these are the most vulnerable during a tornado.

While you’re creating your family emergency plan, it would be a great time to include plans for a house fire as well. For this type of disaster, you’ll want to designate a secondary meeting place outside, such as a neighbor’s house.

2. Emergency Supply Kit

In your safe space, always keep a kit that includes:

• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Bottled water and non-perishable food
• Cell phone chargers and portable battery chargers
• Weather radio
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Whistle (to signal for help)

3. Build a Secondary Communication Plan

During severe storms, communicating may be more difficult. Have a secondary communication plan in place, such as texting or social media posting, to stay connected to family.

4. Practice, Practice

Do tornado and fire drills often, especially if you have young children. Practicing where to go and when, and also what to grab, can help keep your family safe.

During high winds, items outside can cause severe damage to the structure of your home. But you can make your home’s exterior more resilient during tornado season by following these tips:

• Trim Dead Branches

In strong winds, dead or broken limbs can break off and damage your home. Keep trees trimmed, especially those with overhanging branches near your home.

• Secure Outdoor Structures

Sheds, play sets, trampolines, patio umbrellas, loose fencing, and pergolas that are not secured to the ground can become projectiles during a storm. Before a storm occurs, ensure these items are secure via anchors in the ground and avoid purchasing flimsy structures that cannot withstand high winds.

• Move Items Indoors

Even small outdoor items can cause damage during a storm. Secure or bring inside:

• Patio furniture
• Grills
• Trash cans
• Garden decor
• Hanging baskets

Once the storm has passed, contact Restorations by Highmark for a free storm damage inspection. We’re a preferred contractor for over 400 insurance companies and can secure your home, confirm the damage for your insurance claim, and begin the restoration process to create a safe environment for you and your family.