Tornadoes

NSA Mid-South Menu

Tornadoes

For more information on this or any other hazard, contact the NSA Mid-South Emergency Management Department at 901-874-5749 or 901-874-5119.

Preparedness Is Your Duty

The Navy encourages all personnel to maintain a basic level of preparedness for all potential hazards.

You are encouraged to be informed about potential hazards, have a family emergency plan, and make an emergency preparedness kit.

Tornadoes, the most violent natural hazard, are rotating, funnel-shaped clouds that form out of thunderstorms. Strong winds are the most destructive aspect, with gusts reaching as high as 300 mph. The damage path can be a mile wide. Tornado season is generally March through August, but they can occur anytime of the year. Tornadoes most often occur at the tail end of a thunderstorm.

Eighty percent of tornadoes occur between noon and midnight. While some areas are more prone to tornadoes than others, they can occur anywhere, so it is in your best interest to be prepared.

How to Prepare For a Tornado

Stay informed and know tornado terminology:

Tornado Watch -- A tornado is possible. Stay tuned to the radio or TV for more information and further instructions.

Tornado Warning -- A tornado has been spotted. Take shelter immediately.

Identify a place in your home to take shelter in case of a tornado: A storm shelter or basement provides the best protection. Otherwise, choose an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

Create an emergency kit.

What to Do If There Is a Tornado

Take shelter immediately in the designated room.

If you are outside, find shelter immediately or, if shelter is unavailable, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.

If you are in a car, stop immediately and find shelter. Do NOT try to drive through a tornado.

Stay tuned to radio or TV for information and instructions as they become available.

Stay in shelter until the tornado has passed.

Once you are in a safe place, muster with your command if you are military or civilian personnel or a member of the selective reserves.

What to Do After a Tornado

Stay clear of downed power lines.

Stay out of damaged areas.

Stay tuned to radio or TV for further information or instructions.

Inspect your home for damage, but be careful of unseen damage.

After a declared emergency, register your needs with the Navy through the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) at https://navyfamily.navy.mil or call 1-877-414-5358 or 1-866-297-1971 (TDD).

Where to Find Additional Information

Ready Navy -- https://www/ready.navy.mil

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/

Department of Homeland Security (Ready.gov) -- www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/tornadoes.html

FEMA -- www.fema.gov/hazard/tornado/index.shtm

It’s your duty to stay informed, develop disaster plans with your family, and have ready an emergency supply kit good for at least three days.

Google Translation Disclaimer

Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
Commander, Navy Region Southeast, cnrse.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
Commander, Navy Region Southeast, cnrse.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
Commander, Navy Region Southeast, cnrse.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, Navy Region Southeast, cnrse.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.