Tornadoes don't follow a set pattern — they can occur anytime, anywhere, and many strike simultaneously. A comprehensive tornado threat plan is not optional.
Business continuity teams can't afford to not have threat plans for tornadoes as part of their response capability. These environmental hazards don't follow a set pattern and can occur anytime, anywhere — and many tornadoes also strike simultaneously. A threat plan is absolutely essential.
Business establishments never work in silos — they form part of a community. So it is always advisable that corporate tornado threat plans include a service component as part of the business continuity solution and extend solidarity to others in the vicinity during testing times. Train employees regularly on deploying plans to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
Ideally located underground — or on the lowest floor in a small, compact room with no windows, made of concrete or brick, per FEMA Guidelines or ICC/NSSA 500 standards
Fortify roof structures, protect vents and openings from water intrusion, replace skylights with impact-resistant versions, and identify all structural and electrical vulnerabilities
Install an alarm warning mechanism, know how to operate the local warning system, and incorporate workarounds for employees with physical impairments or language barriers
An effective tornado threat plan addresses shelter preparation, building hardening, communication systems, and defined roles — ensuring every employee knows what to do before and during a tornado event.
Shelters should ideally be located underground. If underground options are unavailable, use a small, compact room on the lowest floor — avoiding doors, windows, and exterior walls. Use rooms made of concrete or brick. The tornado threat plan must specify how to prepare the shelter zone as per FEMA Guidelines or ICC/NSSA 500 standards.
Fortify roof structures to protect against external winds and rain. Protect vents, windows, and openings from water intrusion. Replace conventional skylights with impact-resistant versions. Install support frameworks for gable-end walls and soffits. Identify structural damage, electrical faults, and gas leaks that could be exploited during the tornado.
Install an alarm warning mechanism to notify employees of an approaching tornado. Stay alert for official tornado watches. Incorporate workaround options into the threat plan for communicating with people who have physical impairments or language barriers — ensuring no employee is left uninformed.
Delegate roles and responsibilities in the tornado threat plan with checklists for all employees. Establish alternate staff options. Keep track of all individuals in the shelter — employees, clients, and visitors. Train employees regularly on deploying plans to ensure effectiveness. In leased spaces, obtain building owner approval on all preparedness measures.
These best practices ensure your tornado threat plan protects every person on your premises and enables a rapid, organized response when a tornado is imminent.
Identify and prepare shelter zones per FEMA or ICC/NSSA 500 standards — underground where possible, or on the lowest floor in a windowless interior room made of concrete or brick.
Reinforce roofs, gable-end walls, and soffits to withstand tornado-force winds. Protect all vents and openings from water intrusion and replace standard skylights with impact-resistant versions.
Deploy an alarm warning mechanism that notifies all employees of an approaching tornado immediately — and ensure every employee knows how to operate the local official warning system.
Maintain a headcount of all individuals in the shelter at all times — employees, clients, and visitors — to ensure no one is unaccounted for during or after the tornado event.
Tune in to official channels for the latest tornado news and update the plan accordingly. Create and follow up on a tornado preparedness checklist to ensure all actions are completed and current.
Include a service component in your tornado threat plan — business establishments form part of a community, and extending solidarity to those in the vicinity during a disaster is both responsible and resilient.
Stay In Business helps organizations build tornado threat plans that protect employees, harden facilities, and maintain business continuity through nature's most unpredictable hazards.