Which areas are most at risk?

Tornado Alley typically refers to the east and midwest part of the U.S., although tornadoes are possible in all fifty states. In North Dakota, Cass County faces the highest risk of tornadoes with Burleigh and Ward counties facing moderate risk. Because formation of tornadoes is not fully understood, the reason these areas are most at risk is unclear. This information is based on historical occurrences in those areas. Use Heartland Disaster Help’s risk map to view the risk level in your area.

Tornado

Tornadoes don’t give much warning, and when they hit, the damage can be devastating. Entire neighborhoods can be flattened in minutes, and families may lose their homes, cars, and cherished possessions. Power and communication lines are often down, making it harder to reach loved ones or get updates.

The National Weather Service defines a tornado as a violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to the base of a thunderstorm. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado unless it form a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust and debris.

Tornadoes forms when intense thunderstorms begin moving in a cyclical pattern and generate strong winds. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is still working to fully understand how tornadoes form.

Be Prepared

Know Your Surroundings:

In addition to knowing your community’s resources for disaster response, you should be aware of any safe locations the community has designated for shelter in case you’re not home when a disaster hits. Some communities may concentrate their resources around community-based buildings such as churches, or safety may best be sought in durable brick or concrete buildings that can withstand high levels of water and wind. Take time to view our county resources tab and locate the resources available in your community.
It’s also important to identify a route from your house, through your neighborhood, to a safer location within your community or in another community. Take time to view a map of your neighborhood and determine where the streets near your home lead to.

Assess Your Home's Risk:

Cut back trees and branches that could blow into windows.
Install storm windows and storm doors to protect your exterior doors and windows.
Have your roof inspected every 10 years to ensure its strength.
Remove loose rock debris from your landscaping.
If your manufactured home is not attached to a foundation or you live in a mobile home, seek location in a sturdier building if possible.
If you know a tornado is likely to occur, secure outdoor item such as patio furniture, recreation equipment, or lawn care equipment.
Keep a battery powered radio, wireless hotspot, and phone chargers in a central location so you can stay connected and informed about changing weather conditions.

Make a Plan:

Identify a room in your home that doesn’t have windows or doors leading outside where you can shelter if a tornado occurs.
Once you are safe, contact loved ones that may be in the affected area to ensure they are safe.
If you are on the road when a tornado starts, try to make it to a sturdy building as quickly as possible.
- If no buildings are nearby, abandon your vehicle and lay on the ground below the roadway (such as a ditch or sewer opening) and cover your head.
- If you cannot get below the roadway, lay on the floor of your vehicle and cover your head.
If you’re driving in the path of the tornado, make right turns until you’re out of the tornado’s path.
Create a disaster kit that can be moved quickly if evacuation is necessary.
Ensure everyone in your family or household is aware of the disaster plan.

Additional Resources

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Additional Resources

Visit Legal Aid Disaster Center (LADRC)

Be Prepared

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Resources by County

Disaster Kit

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Additional Resources