As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Planning and preparation are two of the most important things you can do when getting ready for a natural disaster such as a tornado.
Are You Ready for This?
According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Americans experience an average of 1,253 tornadoes every year, more than any other country. Climate change is said to be the general cause of the ever-increasing severe weather conditions across the US.
Tornado Stats
In 2021, tornadoes were responsible for more than $105 billion in total damages across the US. The year was also responsible for the most tornado fatalities since 2011. It’s important to note that thunderstorms accompanying a tornado can produce damaging winds and floods, resulting in an additional $2 billion in damage annually.
Texas, Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Nebraska consistently experience the highest numbers of tornadoes annually. Add in states like Louisiana, Iowa, and South Dakota, and you’ve got the loosely defined area known as Tornado Alley. NOAA states that a typical tornado travels approximately 10-20 mph and is on the ground for an average of only five minutes.
Tornado Categories Defined
According to the National Weather Service, there are six different scales of tornadoes:
| Scale | Estimated Wind Speed (mph) | Potential Damage |
|---|---|---|
|
F0 |
40-72 |
Light. Damage to chimneys, broken branches, toppled trees with shallow roots |
|
F1 |
73-112 |
Moderate. Close to minimum hurricane speed; can push vehicles off roads and mobile homes off foundations |
|
F2 |
113-157 |
Significant. Torn off roofs, demolished mobile homes, trees uprooted, and light objects including glass projectiles can be thrown about |
|
F3 |
158-206 |
Severe. Houses can be leveled, entire structures are blown away, and heavy objects are thrown about |
|
F4 |
207-260 |
Devastating. Houses leveled; cars become airborne |
|
F5 |
261-318 |
Incredible. Houses leveled and disintegrated; skyscrapers toppled, and large missiles can fly more than 330 feet |
How DomiDocs Can Help You Navigate Through a Disaster
The key to weathering any natural disaster is preparation—knowledge and organization are your best tools. As a homeowner, taking proactive steps to protect your family and property before disaster strikes is essential. The secure, award-winning DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® helps you stay prepared by allowing you to:
- Create a detailed home inventory – Upload receipts, photos, and videos documenting your home’s condition and contents to ensure an accurate record for insurance purposes.
- Store and manage essential insurance documents – Use the Insurance Bundle feature to securely organize policies, including company details, coverage, cost, and policy start and end dates. A calendar timeline provides quick reference, and with one click, you can share documents with your insurance agent when filing a claim.
- Prepare for and recover quickly from any disasters – Ensure quick and easy access to critical homeownership and insurance documents before and after a natural disaster. Use the Disaster Bundle to safely store everything from insurance policies and mortgage information to your home inventory list, photos & videos and emergency vendors—allowing you to recover faster when you need it most.
- Stay ready for emergencies – Keep all your most important documents—such as IDs, medical records, financial statements, and emergency contacts—securely stored and instantly accessible. The Digital Go Bundle ensures you have everything you need in one place, whether you’re evacuating or managing post-disaster recovery.
- Follow expert homeowner guidance – Access the comprehensive DomiDocs New Homeowner Guide, which offers best practices to help prevent insurance claims and keep your home in top condition.
By leveraging these tools, you’ll have the critical information you need at your fingertips, making it easier to recover and rebuild after a disaster.
How Long is the Tornado Season in America?
While NOAA notes that tornadoes can occur at any time of the year if conditions permit, there are peak months when certain states receive the most tornado activity:
- Gulf Coast – early spring
- Midwest – June to July
- Central Plains – May to June
The Basics of Tornado Preparedness
In short, Ready.gov and the American Red Cross states you should do the following basics:
| Before a Tornado, Take the Time to: | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Determine your personal tornado risk. |
Do you live in a tornado-prone zone? The Southeast and the Midwest are the most likely areas for tornadoes in the US. |
|
|
Know the difference between a tornado watch and a warning. |
A tornado watch means a tornado is possible – it specifies an area where tornadoes and other storms can occur in the imminent future so you’ll need to prepare to shelter if necessary. |
|
|
Know the signs of a tornado. |
Signs of a tornado include a loud roar similar to a freight train, dark or debris-filled clouds, or the classic rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, and/or large hail formations |
|
|
Develop an evacuation plan. |
Every member of your family needs to know what your homeowner evacuation plan is. Where will you go? How will you get there? What optional evacuation routes will you have if your initial choice is blocked? Where will you stay? Knowing these basics in advance can help stem panic during an actual natural disaster situation. Have a to-go bag in place with all the supplies you’ll need, including items for your pets. If you’ll need assistance in traveling, you’ll need to confirm with someone in advance. And be sure to follow any evacuation orders that have been issued. As a family, discuss how you can help your neighbors during a natural disaster by checking in or helping them evacuate as well. |
|
|
Assemble disaster supplies for your family members and your pets. |
The American Red Cross recommends gathering 2 emergency supply kits:
NOAA recommends adding the following to round out your emergency disaster supply kits, where applicable:
|
|
|
Review/update your homeowner insurance policy. |
It’s estimated that 40% of Americans can’t find an important household document when needed, so the first step is to upload your vital household documents to our user-friendly digital platform, so there’s easy access 24/7/365. Secondly, reassess your homeowner policy to ensure you have the best coverage to fit your needs. Compare the cost and coverage that you have in place, to what else is available from your current insurer and other companies. If there have been any major additions to your home and/or contents in the last year, it’s time to review your homeowner insurance policy to ensure it’ll cover your new additions. Homeowner insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need to purchase a separate policy for it; note that there’s a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance takes effect. |
|
|
Make your home disaster-resistant. |
Depending on where you live across America, insurance companies may reward your efforts in making your home disaster-resistant by offering discounted homeowner insurance premiums. Think storm shutters, reinforced roofing/materials, and sump pumps. Upgraded plumbing systems can lessen the risk of water damage. |
|
|
Have supplies on hand to make emergency repairs. |
Such supplies can include plastic sheeting, tarps, sandbags, and/or plywood, plus the necessary tools to apply these to your home like a staple gun and/or duct tape |
|
|
Complete a written disaster plan. |
Now that you’ve got everything in place, there’s no better way to solidify it than by making a written plan, which should include regularly practicing your escape route, and maintaining your disaster prep plan supplies by replacing expired items. Ensure your plan includes a contact list, with at least one contact who lives outside the impacted area; share your disaster plan with family and friends. |
|
|
Take the time to emergency life-saving skills. |
The American Red Cross recommends that adults and kids around nine learn first aid and CPR skills. |
|
| When a Tornado is Happening: |
|---|
|
Remove outdoor objects that could be picked up by high winds including trash cans and lawn furniture; anchor gas BBQs and propane tanks. Move your vehicles to a safe location. Secure all of your doors. |
|
Fuel your vehicles, but never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If you’re in a car, crouch down while covering your neck and head with your arms and/or a blanket or clothing. |
|
Double-check your emergency supplies including bottled water, plus battery-operated flashlights and a radio. |
|
Monitor local news reports and emergency alerts; know that ‘A Watch’ warning means be prepared, while ‘A Warning’ means take action. |
|
Proactively shut off your electricity, gas, and water utilities. |
|
Shelter safely while staying away from doors, windows, and exterior walls; a small interior room, a basement or a hallway on a lower floor are safest. And if you’re not in your home, don’t return until officials say it’s safe to do so. Don’t approach any downed power or broken utility lines. |
Navigating Insurance Claims: What Every Homeowner Should Know
When you’re facing the aftermath of a natural disaster, working with your insurance company is an inevitable part of the recovery process. DomiDocs® CEO and Founder, William McKenna advises homeowners to carefully review their insurance company’s initial settlement offer, as it may not fully cover all damages. Many experts recommend assessing the offer to ensure it aligns with your policy coverage.
What should you do? Access your personal profile on the DomiDocs® home management platform to easily submit your documented receipts, photos, and videos to your insurance adjuster with just one click. Before accepting a settlement, take the time to consider all potential losses, including missed wages, medical expenses (both current and future), vehicle repairs, and any other damages. Being thorough can help ensure you receive the full coverage you’re entitled to under your policy.
DomiDocs has your back! Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, flood, or fire, the DomiDocs Resouce Page: How To File An Insurance Claim is here to guide you through the claims and recovery process.
Take Control of Your Homeownership Journey with DomiDocs®
Managing your home shouldn’t be stressful. DomiDocs® empowers homeowners with innovative technology, expert guidance, and unparalleled organization—all within a secure, cloud-based platform. From protecting your property and finances to streamlining essential tasks, our tools help you save time, reduce expenses, mitigate costly risks, and maximize your home’s value.
Explore the DomiDocs suite of solutions:
- Homeowner Enablement Platform® – A centralized, digital hub for organizing documents, tracking home value, and managing property details effortlessly.
- HomeLock™ – Protects your home from fraud and title theft with 24/7 monitoring and instant alerts.
- TrueValueIndex® – Provides real-time insights into your home’s value to help you make informed financial decisions.
- propRtax® – Identifies potential property tax savings and ensures you’re not overpaying.
- Documenting for Disaster® – Securely stores critical homeownership documents, ensuring quick access before and after a disaster.
Join the home management revolution today and experience the confidence that comes with having everything you need in one place.
Author – Connie Motz
