Tornadoes and Your Farm

Tornados strike quickly, with little or no warning. High winds can damage buildings, overturn vehicles, uproot or damage trees. Preparing before a tornado can help to preserve life, minimize damage and speed your recovery.

Before a Tornado

• Determine the risk of tornadoes in your area.
  • A map of high risk areas is available at www.fema.gov/areyouready/tornadoes.shtm.
• Know the terminology.
  • A tornado WATCH is issued when weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes, for example, during a severe thunderstorm -- be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.
  • A tornado WARNING is issued when a tornado funnel is sighted or indicated by weather radar -- You should take shelter immediately!
• Check weather reports before planning work activities.
  • Have a way of receiving weather information while you work, especially at remote locations.
  • Monitor for tornadoes in your area at the National Weather Service Active Watch and Warnings. http://www.weather.gov/
• Create an emergency plan of action.
  • Know your area’s warning signals for tornado watches and warnings. As soon as you hear the signal, take cover.
  • Carry a first aid kit, flashlight, and battery operated radio on all farm equipment.
  • Carry a cellular phone or portable radio to contact family or farm employees.
• Develop a communication plan with your family and employees or co-workers.
  • Know how to contact each other in the event of severe weather, especially if you are in separate locations.
  • Establish shelter locations on your property.
• Identify potential hazards on your property.
  • Secure structurally unstable materials (e.g. lumber, logs, equipment, fuel tanks), and loose equipment and materials (e.g., buckets, tools, etc.) which can become dangerous if airborne.
  • Fix loose siding, roofing, fence posts, etc., as these can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
  • Know how to turn off electrical power, gas and water supplies for building on the farm.
• Stockpile emergency materials.
  • Plywood, lumber, nails, hammer, saw, pry bar
  • Wire and rope to secure objects
  • Fire extinguishers at all barns and in all vehicles
  • A safe supply of food to feed livestock
  • A gas-powered generator in case of power failure
• Make a list of your farm inventory, include:
  • Livestock (species, number of animals)
  • Crops (acres, type)
  • Machinery and equipment (make, model #)
  • Hazardous substances (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, medicines, other chemicals)
• Review your insurance coverage.

During a Tornado

• Stay informed.
  • Listen to the radio or television for situation developments.
• If a WATCH is issued – Seek shelter immediately!
• Never try to outrun a tornado.
  • Get off of farm machinery and get as far away from it as possible.
• If possible, get inside a sturdy building.
  • The safest place is an inside room on the lowest floor.
  • Avoid windows, or glass doors, which can be broken by strong winds or hail and cause damage or injury.
  • Avoid long span buildings as these are often supported solely by the outside walls and can be dangerous during severe weather situations.
  • For added protection, get under something sturdy, such as a heavy table or workbench.
  • If possible, cover your body with a blanket or sleeping bag; protect your head with anything available--even your hands.
• If no adequate shelter immediately available,
  • Lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low lying area.
  • Cover your head and neck with your arms.
  • Stay away from trees.
  • Do not get under any vehicle, no matter what its size.

After a Tornado

• Continue to monitor your battery-powered radio or television for emergency information.
• Assess the situation.
  • Survey damage to your home, buildings, equipment, livestock and crops.
  • Identify sharp objects, dangerous materials, downed power lines, damaged gas lines, or other hazards (e.g., chemical spills).
  • Check for power outages.
• Clean up safely.
  • Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves, and gloves.
  • Be aware of hazards that may cause injury to you or others cleaning up - these can include chain saw injuries, electrical or chemical hazards.
  • Use caution with gas powered equipment – dangerous carbon monoxide can be generated; use in well ventilated areas.
• Account for your inventory.
  • Account for all livestock, fuels, chemicals, machinery and equipment; use the inventory list prepared prior to the incident.
  • Note any livestock losses.
  • Check machinery and equipment for damage.
  • Take photographs of all damage for insurance or emergency assistance purposes.
  • Report any hazardous materials (e.g., fuels, agricultural chemicals) spills or leaks to emergency response personnel.
• Care for the livestock.
  • Make sure that livestock have food and water.
  • Remove any debris that may cause injury.
  • Dispose of dead carcasses.
• Farm disaster assistance.
  • Disaster assistance for farms may be available from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency http://www.fsa.usda.gov/.