Let’s admit it! 2025 has been onto a weird start. From a severe thunderstorm warning in CA to the famous cyclone in Australia, severe thunderstorm warnings have apparently been on-trend right now.
And, while extreme weather, high wind warnings, and storm warnings can feel a bit overwhelming, it’s always best to stay prepared. In fact, organizations like the American Red Cross have also asked people to prepare themselves for upcoming severe thunderstorm warnings.
That said, if you have absolutely no idea where to start amidst the never-ending severe weather warnings, don’t fret! This page has got you covered. Below are some of the best ways to stay prepared and stay safe before and during a storm.
What Is A Thunderstorm Warning?
As the name suggests, a severe thunderstorm warning is a public warning suggesting to the locals that multiple thunderstorms have been detected in their area. Such warnings are based on reportings offered by spotters or radars. And, this may include imminent danger to property and life.
And, if you are still confused between a thunderstorm warning and a thunderstorm watch, here’s how they are different. A watch is a possibility that you might see something or that the current conditions favor a thunderstorm. A warning, however, is that the thunderstorm is here, occurring or imminent.
The warning signs of thunderstorms can be darkening skies, increased wind, dark clouds, etc. However, make sure to keep track of severe thunderstorm warning updates to ensure what’s happening around your area.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Prepping Up
Below are some tips to keep in mind to fully prepare for a thunderstorm, tornado, cyclone, or a high wind warning:
Get Your Home Ready
The first thing to start is trimming your trees. Plain branches are more likely to break during a thunderstorm. By getting rid of them, you will be ensuring the limited risk of home, vehicle, and power damage. Plus, removing branches will also help the trees to stand straight and make your post-storm cleanup easy.
Other than this, it is vital to ensure there aren’t any loose objects near your house. If your locality has already received a severe thunderstorm warning, it is best to keep your car inside the garage. Also, ensure to keep all windows and doors shut tight. You can even cover your doors or windows with sandbags so that the water does not seep in. Lastly, it is advisable to move any valuable object, which is inside your house, under a more sturdy structure.
Keep Track of Severe Thunderstorm Warning Update
Make sure to stay updated, especially if you are in an affected area. If there’s a thunderstorm or tornado warning in your area, limited connectivity or losing connections is highly likely. This is why you should always keep a radio with you. You can keep track of your local weather channel.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
If a thunderstorm is on its way, you would have to ensure a smoother movement of water. But, with stuck gutters, clogging can be a problem. So, before a thunderstorm hits, make sure to clean your gutters, and get rid of any debris, leaves, or particles that might lead to possible clogging.
If your gutters are clogged, water built-up on your roof can lead to some serious property damage, and cause leaks to your structure.
Keep An Emergency Kit Handy
If it’s a severe thunderstorm warning, chances are electricity may be out during and after a couple of days of thunderstorms. This is why it is vital to keep all the essentials with you. You can start by keeping a first aid kit with you. This can be purchased online or through a local store. However, if you wanna DIY, make sure it includes bandages, bandaids, cotton, alcohol swaps, rubbing alcohol, etc. Also make sure to add over-the-counter drugs like painkillers or medicines for headaches, and stomach aches, ointments for burns, and antiseptic creams.
Apart from having a ready and very accessible first aid kit, you should also be ready with a flashlight, mask, garbage bags, flashlight, water, food, a car opener, a whistle, and a cell phone with extra chargers and batteries.
Once you have all the essentials for this kit, make sure to keep canned food in dry places and avoid getting perishables. Because you won’t know how long the storm might be, make sure to keep preserved food ready with yourself.
Lastly, you should be having two kits- one, that is gonna be at your home. The second is more of an on-the-go kit, which should be in your car. This will keep you covered in case you are stranded.
Locate Your Nearest Shelter
If you live in a mobile home, you may not be well protected. This is why you need to start looking for shelters as soon as a severe thunderstorm warning strikes. You can also get in touch with a community shelter, wherever you and your family can stay overnight.
However, if you believe that you will be the safest in your home, make sure to allocate a safe space. During a thunderstorm, the safest place is the lowest floor of the house. And, if it’s the basement, it’s the best. But, if you don’t have a basement, look for an interior room on your lower floor. Always pick a room or place that is away from windows and you have walls surrounding you.