Tthis year, the US had one of the most active tornado seasons in known history.
From January through June, about 1,250 tornadoes occurred, putting the preliminary tornado count for 2024 to date in third place, behind 2011’s 1,398 tornadoes and 2008’s 1,303 tornadoes for the same period, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Most recently, Hurricane Beryl – which broke storm surge records when it devastated the Caribbean earlier this month –generated a tornado outbreak in parts of South It is North East USA last week.
Tornadoes can occur year-round, but there are peak periods in different parts of the country. The peak tornado season in the Southern Plains runs from May to early June, while the Northern Plains and upper Midwest have a peak season in June or July, according to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Here’s how to better prepare for tornadoes.
Stay alert and sign up for emergency alerts
Be sure to be aware of the signs of a tornado — which could include a spinning funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar similar to that of a freight train, according to Pronto.gov. Keep an eye on weather reports. You can sign up for your community’s alert system, and the Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
But not all alerts from National Weather Service has the same meaning. A tornado warning means that tornadoes are possible in and near your area; you must be ready to act if necessary. Meanwhile, a tornado warning means a tornado is nearby and poses a danger to life and property; you must go to a safe location immediately. A tornado emergency means that a violent tornado has struck your area, posing a serious threat to human life and property; you should immediately look for the safest location possible.
See more information: Why Beryl’s ‘unprecedented’ moment is a sign of climate’s impact on extreme weather
Gather emergency supplies
Prepare a basic disaster supply kit, including water, non-perishable food, battery-operated or hand-crank radio, flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries and cell phone with chargers and backup batteries. If you are making a go-kit, the American Red Cross recommends that you have at least three days of supplies. For a stay-at-home kit, you should have at least two weeks’ worth of supplies.
Have a plan and a place to shelter
Find out where would be a safe place to take shelter during a tornado, such as a safe room or storm shelter. After that, the next safest place to take shelter would be a small, windowless indoor room or a basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building, according to Ready.gov.
The American Red Cross also recommends that families do tornado drills to practice moving quickly to a safe location in the event of an emergency.
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This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
