Tornado | Emergency

Department Resources

Sign up for Fairfax Alerts and have a battery or crank powered NOAA weather radio available.
Practice sheltering in place in the interior of your residence or business.
- If there is a tornado watch, pay attention to a weather radio, commercial radio, television, or a news website for up to date information.
- During a tornado watch (not a warning), secure or bring inside any outdoor objects that could blow away or become "missiles" and cause damage.
Watch for signs of a tornado: dark or greenish skies, hail, large, dark low-lying clouds, loud roar.
Learn First Aid.

Listen to official information.
Go immediately to the lowest level of your building, to an interior room or hallway.
Stay away from windows and doorways.
Do not stay in a trailer or a mobile home. Go immediately to a building with a strong foundation.
If you are in a car, or if shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not seek refuge under a bridge or overpass.
Plan to stay in your shelter location until the danger has passed.