Tornado Risk in Your Area
How often do tornadoes strike your area, and what should you do when the warning sounds?
Free · no email · uses FEMA National Risk Index + state hazard data.
What to do
Preparation, response, and recovery steps for Tornado.
- Identify a safe room: basement or interior room on lowest floor
- Practice tornado drills with your family
- Have a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup
- Keep shoes and a helmet in your safe room
- Know the difference between a watch and a warning
Size your supplies
Water and food targets for your household, based on FEMA guidance.
How much should you store?
FEMA's rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water per person per day. Set your household and target.
Water
28 gallons
≈ 9 cases of bottled water
Food
56k calories
4 people × 7 days, non-perishable
Pets
—
no pets set
Track all of this with reminders when items expire — free with a GridPrepped account.
Top states by tornado risk
Alabama
AL
Kansas
KS
Mississippi
MS
Missouri
MO
Nebraska
NE
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tornado Alley in the US?▾
The traditional Tornado Alley spans northern Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. However, 'Dixie Alley' (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee) now produces roughly as many tornadoes and more fatalities due to nighttime events, mobile homes, and denser population.
Can I outrun a tornado in my car?▾
No. Tornadoes are unpredictable and can exceed highway speeds. Abandon the vehicle if possible and seek a sturdy structure, or as a last resort a low-lying ditch. Do not shelter under an overpass — wind speeds accelerate there.
What's the difference between a Tornado Watch and Warning?▾
Watch = conditions are favorable for tornadoes in your region; stay alert. Warning = a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar; take shelter immediately.
Data sources
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