Texas Tornado Safety Guide

With the Lone Star State’s propensity for tornadoes, it almost seems like a Texan rite of passage to experience one either directly or tangentially. There were more than 1,500 tornadoes reported in the U.S. last year; on average, Texas endures somewhere around 155 tornadoes each year — the most in any state. But there are measures Texans can take to help safeguard their homes, vehicles, and families against this inevitable act of Mother Nature.

Common Tornado Myths Debunked

Myth No. 1: Open windows to equalize the pressure. This could potentially forge an opening for dangerous debris. Don’t waste your time; concentrate on seeking shelter. 

Myth No. 2: A house’s southwest corner is the safest place. A tornado and accompanying debris can approach from any direction. Get to the lowest level of the house in an interior room, such as a closet or hallway.

Myth No. 3: Seek shelter underneath a bridge or overpass. Wind — and sometimes debris — funnels underneath bridges and overpasses as the tornado passes, increasing the velocity. Parking here can also cause a traffic hazard or roadblock for emergency vehicles.

Myth No. 4: Tornadoes are always visible. Sure, you may see the funnel. But tornadoes are sometimes clouded by rain, hail, dark skies, and debris. Bottom line: This isn’t the time to wait it out filming for your local news station.

Getting Your Home Ready

Although cutting-edge technology has made it easier to track a tornado’s formation and path, these deadly rotations remain sporadic and relatively unpredictable. Homeowners should take precautions through general property maintenance. 

• Install storm windows and heavy-duty doors. A little investment could go a long way in protecting your home and family.
• Secure the garage door. A vast opening and lightweight construction make this one of the home’s most vulnerable areas to wind and water. Consider installing a windowless, wind pressure-rated garage door.
• Reinforce the roof decking. This provides critical protection from high winds. If the roof is blown off, the home is left exposed and susceptible to the elements.
• Anchor lawn furniture. Invest in heavy-duty covers or use specialty stakes to secure the furniture in the ground. 
• Do some yard work. Cutting tree limbs can prevent more debris from damaging your home. Keeping gutters clear helps ensure proper drainage.

Caught in the Storm

Vehicles are extremely risky places to be during a tornado, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center. The best advice is to stay put during inclement weather. However, if you find yourself on the road when you hear the tornado sirens, there are several things you can do to keep yourself safe.

• Assess the situation. Your fight-or-flight response might kick in as soon as you realize the looming threat. Remain as calm as possible while driving, look around you, and consider your options.
• Look for shelter. If possible, get out of your car and immediately seek shelter in an interior room of a sturdy building or structure. If faced with choosing between a mobile home and your vehicle, stay put. No area of a mobile home is safe during a tornado, according to the American Red Cross.
• Consider driving away. But understand that this choice comes with a risk. If the tornado is far away and visible, it might be possible to drive away at a right angle. It’s best if you know where you are in relation to the twister and what direction it’s going.

Stuck in Your Car

If the tornado is imminent and you’re caught in a car with no shelter in sight, follow these guidelines from the Storm Prediction Center:

• Pull over. Quickly and safely park your vehicle along the side of the road away from oncoming traffic. Keep the engine running so that airbags can deploy if needed.
• Stay inside. Keep your seatbelt fastened. Do not get under your car.
• Take cover. Protect your head and neck with your hands and a blanket or jacket — whatever is safely and immediately accessible.
• Get low. Keep your head as far below the windows and windshield as possible to protect yourself from shattered glass and debris.

What to Do After

Eryn Reedy, a Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent in Mineral Wells, has some advice on what to do if the inevitable happens.

• Let the storm pass. Stay put in your safe space and use your smartphone or a portable radio to track the tornado’s path before emerging. 
• Keep your family safe. Depending on the magnitude of the storm, you may need to apply First Aid or wait for first responders.
• Call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent. Once you’re safe and the storm has passed, start a claim with your Agent.
• Try to prevent more damage. This can range from pulling a tarp over a hole in your roof or placing plywood over broken windows. Save the receipts for any materials you buy. “More than likely, your claims adjuster will work with you on getting reimbursements for things that you’ve done to stop further damage,” Reedy says. 
• Take photos of the damage. The adjuster assigned to your claim will take official photos, but you can assist with the process by snapping photos immediately after the storm. This also helps show anything you’ve done to mitigate the damage to your home and/or vehicle.
• Be patient. Texas Farm Bureau Insurance’s claims adjusters often take the most critical and severe cases first, Reedy says. Making yourself available to your assigned claims adjuster can help move the process along quickly and efficiently, getting you and your family back to normal as soon as possible.

Being Proactive

A tornado’s exact timing, location, and magnitude are unpredictable. But you can take proactive steps with your insurance coverage. “Weird things can happen in tornadoes,” says Reedy, who encourages policyholders to review their coverage on an annual basis.   

There are financial advantages to combining your home and auto coverage, Reedy says, as well as added convenience — which is especially helpful after a stressful loss.

When a natural disaster such as a tornado comes to your front door, there’s only one number to call: your Agent’s. “Your Agent is going to be able to step in and help you make the claim and get you through that traumatic loss,” Reedy says. Call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent today to protect your most valuable assets.

Learn how to take shelter during any natural disaster here.

Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation.