According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm and comes into contact with the ground. About 1,000 tornadoes per year are reported nationwide, on average. 

The US experiences more tornadoes than any other country in the world. They accounted for 39.9 percent of insured catastrophe losses from 1997 to 2016, causing an average annual loss of $11.23 billion. In 2018, insured losses from US tornadoes and thunderstorms totaled $14.1 billion. Mississippi ranks third in the US for the number of annual tornadoes, with 68 tornadoes in 2018. 

In January of 2020, Mississippi could already count 17 tornadoes in the state, the second-highest January tornado count since 1950. Tornadoes are dangerous to people and property. A Mississippi independent insurance agent can help you find the right tornado insurance as well as the perfect homeowners insurance for the best coverage.

What to Do before, during, and after a Tornado in Mississippi

Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris. Here are some tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on what to do to stay safe before, during, and after a tornado in Mississippi. 

Before the Storm

• Know the tornado risk in your area of Mississippi. In the US, the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes. Mississippi’s peak tornado seasons are in November, March, and April. But tornadoes can occur in Mississippi at any time of year. 
• Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar that is often described as sounding like a freight train.
• Sign up for the early warning system in your community. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. Be familiar with the sound of your city’s tornado warning siren. 
• Pay attention to weather reports and know the risk for the day. Daily local weather reports often report if conditions are right for a tornado. 
• Identify a safe shelter for you and your family during a tornado. This may be a basement or a specially built tornado shelter. If neither of these are available, identify a small, interior, windowless, room on the lowest level of a sturdy building to use as a shelter if a tornado hits. 
• Consider constructing a safe room that meets FEMA standards. 
• Make sure that your Mississippi homeowners insurance and Mississippi auto insurance policies are up to date. Prepare a home inventory so you’ll be one step ahead if you have to make a claim. 
• Consider installing storm shutters to protect your windows, and an impact-resistant garage door to protect your garage. 
• Secure any loose shingles on your roof.
• Prune or thin trees that are close to your house. 
• Identify top-heavy and tall furniture that are at risk of falling over, such as cabinets and bookcases. Secure them to the wall using L brackets, corner brackets, or aluminum molding. 
• Gather enough nonperishable food, water, medication, and hygiene items for everyone in your family for at least one week in case of utility interruptions and the inability to purchase these items temporarily. Don’t forget to include your pets. 
• Bring all exterior items inside where possible, but leave things like propane tanks outside, but secured. 
• Bring all pets inside.

During the Storm

• Go immediately to the shelter or safe location that you’ve identified in advance.
• While in the shelter, shield your head and neck with your arms and place items like furniture and blankets around you. 
• Listen to the Emergency Alert System, a NOAA Weather Radio, or other local alert systems for current emergency information and instructions. 
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot shelter in a building, cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket, if possible. 
• Be sure that emergency items such as flashlights, cell phones, and a battery-operated radio are in hand or nearby.

After the Storm

• Keep listening to the Emergency Alert System, a NOAA Weather Radio, and local authorities for updated information. 
• If you’re trapped, cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting for help.
• Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines. 
• Do not enter damaged buildings until you are told that they are safe. 
• Save your phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends. 
• Be careful during cleanup. Wear thick-soled shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and work gloves when inspecting your home for damage.  
• Take pictures of any damage to the building or contents for insurance claims. If your home has suffered structural damage, seek shelter somewhere else.
• Because of the potential for gas leaks, do not light candles, gas lanterns, oil lanterns, the fireplace, or any other sources of open flame until power has been restored and all gas lines have been checked. 
• Use battery powered flashlights and lanterns for emergency light and to inspect for damage. 
• If you smell gas or the odor of rotten eggs, or hear a blowing or hissing noise, a gas line may have burst. Open a window, get everyone out of the house, and call the gas company or fire department. Report any fallen power lines or broken gas lines to the utility company immediately.

How to Stay Safe in Your Home during a Tornado

According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), there are several ways to stay safe in your home during a tornado. 

• Go to the lowest level of the home, an inner hallway, or smaller inner room without windows, such as a closet or bathroom.
• Get away from windows and go to the center of the room. Avoid corners because they tend to attract debris.
• Get under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table.

Being in a mobile home can make you especially vulnerable to tornadoes. Here are some tips from MEMA about staying safe from tornadoes if you live in a mobile home: 

• Evacuate the mobile home, even if it is equipped with tie-downs. 
• Take shelter in a building with a strong foundation, or if one is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the mobile home. Tornadoes cannot change elevation quickly enough to pick someone up out of a ditch, especially a deep ditch or culvert.

How to Stay Safe in Your Car during a Tornado

If you find yourself in a vehicle when a tornado strikes, there are certain ways to stay safe according to MEMA. 

• Never try to outdrive a tornado in your vehicle. Tornadoes can change direction very quickly and can lift a vehicle and toss it in the air.
• Get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the vehicle and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.

How to Stay Safe In a Building during a Tornado

Many people won’t be at home when a tornado strikes. How can you stay safe in your work or school building? 

• Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level of the building.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck as the storm passes. 

How Can an Agent Help Protect My House from a Tornado?

Unlike floods or hurricanes, tornadoes are generally covered under homeowners insurance policies in Mississippi and do not require a separate endorsement. It’s important to review your homeowners insurance policy every year to make sure you have sufficient coverage if a tornado hits your home. 

Renters and condominium owners should make sure they have renters insurance or condo insurance in order to cover damaged or destroyed personal property after a tornado. 

The comprehensive coverage of your Mississippi auto insurance policy will cover damage to your car that is caused by a tornado. Comprehensive coverage is optional, so if you don’t have it, you won’t have coverage if your car gets damaged during a tornado or another severe storm. 

If you’re shopping for homeowners, renters, or auto insurance in Mississippi, working with a local independent insurance agent is your best bet. Independent agents aren’t tied down to one insurance company. They can help you shop around for the best coverage at a price that fits your budget.

What’s more, your Mississippi independent insurance agent will get to know you and your family, and will be there for you at claim time. Your agent will guide you through the claims process and help you get your home repaired and your life back to normal as soon as possible.