Here's How to Prepare Your Home for Tornadoes & Windstorms

Damage Prevention

A solid damage prevention strategy to protect your home from tornadoes and extreme wind includes long-term planning and emergency preparation.

Long-Term Planning

Tornado-proofing your home centres on improvements that boost the structural integrity of your home and minimize the potential for damage from flying debris. Some of these updates and upgrades are DIYable, while others may require professional assistance.

TIP: Check your homeowner, commercial and/or farm insurance to understand what types of damage are covered and to ensure the current value of your home and property are reflected.

Home Protection Products

Gear up with essential equipment and supplies to help prepare your home for tornadoes and windstorms.

TIP: You don’t have to tackle your tornado-proofing action list all at once. Prioritize upgrades based on need and budget.

Emergency Preparedness

What to Do if There’s a Windstorm or Tornado Warning

Tornadoes cannot be predicted in advance, as they emerge from specific conditions within thunderstorms. By responding quickly to a windstorm (a thunderstorm with high winds, heavy rain and/or hail), homeowners will be partially ready if Environment Canada issues a tornado warning. Here’s how to prepare for each severe weather scenario.

Windstorm Warning Action List

Follow local weather developments on the radio or online at Environment Canada’s Public Weather Alerts
Get pets indoors and shelter any livestock
Move unsecured vehicles, patio furniture, BBQs and outdoor equipment into your garage or another indoor location
Secure storm shutters, panels or doors

Tornado Warning Action List

Bring your tornado emergency kit to a secure basement or cellar area that you can shelter in. (If you don’t have a basement or cellar, choose an interior main floor room with no windows)
Be on the lookout for tornado warning signs:
- Severe thunderstorms with lots of rain, hail, thunder and/or lightning
- Dark skies with green or yellow clouds
- Rumbling or whistling sounds
- Visible funnel clouds at the base of a thundercloud
Only if it is safe, open pens and escape routes for livestock, then run indoors
Head to your secure, sheltered indoor area and remain there until the danger passes

TIP: If you live in a region that’s prone to tornadoes, keep your radio on during heavy thunderstorms to ensure you never miss a tornado warning.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

If you need to evacuate, you may not have time to gather essential items. Plan ahead and keep everything together in a large bin, backpack or hockey bag, so you can quickly load your vehicle and head out. Here are some of the essential things you can add to your kit.

TIP: Store your tornado emergency kit near the secure indoor area where you take shelter. Ideally, this would be a basement or cellar, but an interior main floor room (such as a bathroom, closet or stairwell) without windows or exterior walls also works.

Damage Prevention

A solid damage prevention strategy to protect your home from tornadoes and extreme wind includes long-term planning and emergency preparation.

Long-Term Planning

Tornado-proofing your home centres on improvements that boost the structural integrity of your home and minimize the potential for damage from flying debris. Some of these updates and upgrades are DIYable, while others may require professional assistance.

TIP: Check your homeowner, commercial and/or farm insurance to understand what types of damage are covered and to ensure the current value of your home and property are reflected.

Home Protection Products

Gear up with essential equipment and supplies to help prepare your home for tornadoes and windstorms.

TIP: You don’t have to tackle your tornado-proofing action list all at once. Prioritize upgrades based on need and budget.

Emergency Preparedness

What to Do if There’s a Windstorm or Tornado Warning

Tornadoes cannot be predicted in advance, as they emerge from specific conditions within thunderstorms. By responding quickly to a windstorm (a thunderstorm with high winds, heavy rain and/or hail), homeowners will be partially ready if Environment Canada issues a tornado warning. Here’s how to prepare for each severe weather scenario.

Windstorm Warning Action List

Follow local weather developments on the radio or online at Environment Canada’s Public Weather Alerts
Get pets indoors and shelter any livestock
Move unsecured vehicles, patio furniture, BBQs and outdoor equipment into your garage or another indoor location
Secure storm shutters, panels or doors

Tornado Warning Action List

Bring your tornado emergency kit to a secure basement or cellar area that you can shelter in. (If you don’t have a basement or cellar, choose an interior main floor room with no windows)
Be on the lookout for tornado warning signs:
- Severe thunderstorms with lots of rain, hail, thunder and/or lightning
- Dark skies with green or yellow clouds
- Rumbling or whistling sounds
- Visible funnel clouds at the base of a thundercloud
Only if it is safe, open pens and escape routes for livestock, then run indoors
Head to your secure, sheltered indoor area and remain there until the danger passes

TIP: If you live in a region that’s prone to tornadoes, keep your radio on during heavy thunderstorms to ensure you never miss a tornado warning.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

If you need to evacuate, you may not have time to gather essential items. Plan ahead and keep everything together in a large bin, backpack or hockey bag, so you can quickly load your vehicle and head out. Here are some of the essential things you can add to your kit.

TIP: Store your tornado emergency kit near the secure indoor area where you take shelter. Ideally, this would be a basement or cellar, but an interior main floor room (such as a bathroom, closet or stairwell) without windows or exterior walls also works.

Damage Cleanup

Cleaning up after a windstorm or tornado may vary, from minimal to extensive. Tornadoes vary in size and speed; in some cases, a home may experience minor exterior damage, while in others, it may be destroyed. Here’s how to deal with the aftermath of a tornado or windstorm, from damage assessment to cleaning and repairs.

Check Your Home for Tornado & Storm Damage

Here’s How to Assess Your Home for Tornado & Windstorm Damage

Don’t leave your shelter until you hear an all-clear from local authorities (check your radio or phone). Be cautious exploring your property after any severe weather as there may be structural damage, live wires and other hazards to contend with.

Here’s what to look for inside and outside your home after a tornado or severe windstorm:

Don’t re-enter your home if you feel it is unsafe or see collapsed floor, wall or roof areas. Wait for professional assistance
Check if porches and other overhangs (like a patio or car port) remain fully supported
If you smell gas or hear hissing, go outside immediately, leaving the door open. Call 9-1-1
Inspect interior ceilings, walls and floors for water leaks or flooding
Inspect trees for damaged branches that pose a hazard if they fall
Look for damaged or missing roof shingles and flashing. Hire a pro to inspect your attic for moisture damage and to replace roofing shingles
Contact your insurance company. Take photos or video of property damage and keep repair receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items until given the go-ahead by your agent

TIP: If you stay in a hotel as a result of tornado damage to your home, talk to your insurance agent. Hold onto all your food and lodging receipts, as these costs may be covered by your insurance.

Safe Cleanup & Repairs

Here’s How to Clean Up & Tackle Repairs After a Tornado

Before starting any cleanup, be sure to wear personal protective gear, including long sleeves and pants, work boots, rubber gloves, head and eye protection, and an N95 mask.

Open the home’s windows and doors to air it out
Flooding and leaks can cause water damage and dangerous mould growth. Remove any drywall and insulation that has been soaked by a leak or has been in contact with floodwater
If there was flooding, wash all walls (even those that were not directly affected) with detergent and chlorine bleach to prevent mould growth
Throw out waterlogged mattresses, electrical products, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedding, books and toys
Throw out any food and medication exposed to floodwater or mud (even if sealed)
Deep clean countertops, appliances and other hard surfaces with hot water and disinfecting cleaner
Launder salvageable window coverings and clothing if your washer/dryer are safe to use. Anything that can’t be washed in hot water and chlorine bleach will have to be thrown out
Have your ducts professional inspected and cleaned

TIP: Minimally water-impacted floors can be deep cleaned and dried (direct a powerful fan and open the windows afterwards), but flooded or heavily water-damaged flooring must be removed and replaced once the subfloor is in suitable condition.

Home Cleanup & Repair Products

Get your house back to being a home after tornado and storm damage. These home supplies, tools and equipment can help you get your property back on track.

TIP: If tornado damage was accompanied by flooding, be aware that mould can develop within 24 to 48 hours. If safe, utilize fans, dehumidifiers and air-conditioners to dry out your home as quickly as possible.

Here’s How to Clean Up Your Yard

In some cases, post-tornado or windstorm damage may be limited to your home’s landscaping. If this is the case, here’s how to clean up.

Here's How to Prepare Your Home for Tornadoes & Windstorms

Damage Prevention

Long-Term Planning

Home Protection Products

Emergency Preparedness

What to Do if There’s a Windstorm or Tornado Warning

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

Damage Prevention

Long-Term Planning

Home Protection Products

Emergency Preparedness

What to Do if There’s a Windstorm or Tornado Warning

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

Damage Cleanup

Check Your Home for Tornado & Storm Damage

Here’s How to Assess Your Home for Tornado & Windstorm Damage

Safe Cleanup & Repairs

Here’s How to Clean Up & Tackle Repairs After a Tornado

Home Cleanup & Repair Products

Here’s How to Clean Up Your Yard

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