How to Create a Severe Weather Safety Plan for Your Family
When severe weather strikes, having a clear, practiced plan can be the difference between chaos and calm. Whether it’s a tornado, severe thunderstorm, flash flood, or hurricane, your family’s safety depends on being prepared — before storms are on the horizon.
Here’s how to create a severe weather plan that protects your loved ones and gives you peace of mind.
1. Know Your Local Severe Weather Risks
Different areas face different threats. Tornadoes, flash flooding, hailstorms, hurricanes — the risks vary based on your region.
✅ Identify the most common types of severe weather in your area.
✅ Pay attention to local weather alerts, know which hazards are most likely.
✅ Monitor real-time updates from trusted sources.
For personalized alerts with more details, My Storm Alert can help.
Helpful Tip: If you live in Tornado Alley or Dixie Alley, tornado preparedness should be a top priority.
2. Choose a Safe Shelter Location in Your Home
Where will your family shelter if dangerous weather strikes?
✅ Pick a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor — like a closet, hallway, or bathroom.
✅ For flash floods, move to higher ground and avoid basements.
✅ Avoid mobile homes, cars, and large open rooms during storms.
Helpful Tip: Practice moving to your shelter quickly so it becomes second nature.
3. Build a Severe Weather Emergency Kit
Your weather emergency kit should be packed and ready to grab in seconds. Include:
Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
Flashlights and extra batteries
First-aid supplies
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Extra phone chargers or battery packs
Important documents in a waterproof bag
Medications and essential personal items
4. Create a Family Communication Plan
If your family gets separated during a storm, how will you reconnect?
✅ Pick an out-of-town contact everyone can call to check in.
✅ Teach children important phone numbers.
✅ Decide on a meeting place if communication is down.
5. Practice Your Severe Weather Plan Regularly
Talking about severe weather is important — but practicing your plan is even better.
✅ Schedule family drills a few times a year.
✅ Time how quickly you can move to your shelter.
✅ Make small adjustments to improve your speed and safety.
Helpful Tip: Practice when the weather is calm, so it feels routine — not scary — for kids.
6. Stay Informed With Accurate, Real-Time Weather Monitoring
Even the best plan won’t help if you don’t know when dangerous weather is approaching.
✅ Sign up for local emergency alerts.
✅ Invest in a NOAA weather radio with battery backup.
✅ And consider personalized monitoring services like My Storm Alert — where real meteorologists watch the radar and alert you directly when severe weather threatens your exact location.
With My Storm Alert, real meteorologists monitor radar 24/7 and contact you directly when storms threaten your exact location. Unlike apps that send generic warnings to entire counties, we give you accurate, hyper-local updates that help you make the right decisions fast.
Final Thoughts
Severe weather can be scary — but being prepared puts you in control. A clear family safety plan, regular practice, and expert monitoring from services like My Storm Alert can help you stay calm and safe when minutes matter.
Start building your severe weather plan today. Your loved ones are worth it.