Tornado season is officially upon Arkansas, and with 39 tornadoes occurring in 2022 in the state alone, tornado safety is a top priority this spring. 

The National Weather Service sends out information and briefings several days prior to severe weather, but it is always best to have a plan in place when a tornado warning occurs. 

“No matter where you are, whether you are stuck in the office or driving home from work, people always need to be thinking about where they would seek shelter from violent weather such as a tornado,” Little Rock NWS meteorologist-in-charge Jim Reynolds said.

Tom Brannon, the chief meteorologist at THV11 said having a plan is top priority.

“The overall best safety tip I have regarding tornado shelters is a 1A and 1B situation. Obviously, a storm shelter is going to provide the most protection. If your home doesn’t have a storm shelter, a basement is the next safest place to be. Anywhere underground is a great option,” Brannon said.

If you don’t have access to an underground shelter or basement, Reynolds recommends finding a room in your house with no windows and a solid structure. 

“You want to get into a room with four walls that are very close together, a closet or bathroom for example,” he said.

Reynolds and Brannon each said it is key to know when a potentially dangerous tornado is in the area, but both meteorologists brought up scenarios where a tornado occurs late into the night and people may be asleep. 

“In Arkansas, it is common for tornadoes to happen at night, so having a weather app on your phone with a distinct alarm that will wake you up in the middle of the night is a great safety precaution to take,” Brannon said.

Reynolds suggested a radio as his top pick for staying alert during the night, saying: “If you are about to fall asleep and concerned about a tornado, the best thing I would recommend any person to have is the NOAA Weather Radio.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio isa 24-hour network of FM weather radio stations in the United States that broadcast information directly from a nearby NWS office.

Reynolds dismissed the myth that Conway is a geographically safe area when it comes to tornadoes. “There is nothing safe about Central Arkansas with regard to the formation of tornadoes. They will go over mountains, over water, there is nothing safe in this state from the threat of tornadoes.”

Both Reynolds and Brannon stressed having a rescue/safety kit readily available during severe weather. The contents of the kit should include flashlights, batteries, bottled water and nonperishable food items. 

Brannon said, “Having some emergency equipment, something as common as a flashlight and a first aid kit, either by your bedside or in your basement could really make a difference in surviving a severe tornado.”

The NWS advises against having candles in your rescue kit, as they bring a risk of fire.

To stay safe while on the road, The NWS warns against drivers parking under an overpass to take shelter, as overpasses provide a point for funneling air that will make winds speed up.

More information regarding tornado safety can be found on the National Weather Service website.