2024 Tornado Season: What You Need to Know

Sahil Jain
2024 Tornado Season: What You Need to Know

2024 Tornado Season: What You Need to Know

This year has been one of the most active tornado seasons since 2017. There hasn't been a clear "tornado season" because tornadoes have been happening more frequently throughout the year. Warmer temperatures on land and in the sea have led to more storms, which turn into tornadoes.

 

So far in 2024, there have been 964 confirmed tornadoes. These tornadoes are categorized by their strength, with the following counts:

  • 87 EF-U (unrated)
  • 293 EF-0 (weakest)
  • 446 EF-1
  • 101 EF-2
  • 30 EF-3
  • 3 EF-4 (very strong)

Tornado and Derecho Preparedness: Keeping Your Family Safe and Healthy

In recent months, severe weather events such as tornadoes and derechos have caused significant damage across Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. 

 

Wind gusts exceeded 70 mph, with some reaching hurricane levels. In Texas, over 780,000 customers lost power, and parts of the state experienced over 600% of normal annual rainfall in just two weeks. It’s not just power lines, supply chains, road access and telecommunications are impacted, making it crucial to be prepared to keep your family safe and healthy. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for and respond to these extreme weather events.

Understanding Tornadoes and Derechos

Tornadoes are rapidly rotating columnst that cause widespread destruction, uprooting trees, damaging buildings, and creating dangerous flying debris.

 

Derechos are long-lived, straight-line windstorms that follow a band of rapidly moving thunderstorms. They can produce hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and large hail, causing extensive damage over large areas.

Preparing for Tornadoes

  1. Create a Safety Plan: Identify a safe place in your home where you can take shelter during a tornado. This should be a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level, such as a basement, bathroom, or closet
  2. Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and alerts from reliable sources such as the National Weather Service (NWS) or local news stations.
  3. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Include essentials such as water, portable filtration  systems, non-perishable food, medications, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and portable chargers
  4. Protect Your Home: Secure outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds.

Preparing for Derechos

  1. Understand the Risks: Derechos can cause widespread power outages and structural damage. Be aware of the potential for extended disruptions to utilities and services
  2. Emergency Supplies: Stock up on water, non-perishable food, and other essentials to last at least 72 hours
  3. Generator Safety: If you use a gas powered generator, operate it outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully
  4. Protect Your Property: Trim trees and secure loose items around your property to minimize damage from high winds.

During the Storm

  • Seek Shelter Immediately: For tornadoes, go to your designated safe place and protect yourself from flying debris
  • Stay Informed: Continue to monitor weather updates and follow instructions from local authorities.

After the Storm

  1. Safety First: Avoid downed power lines and report them to the utility company.
  2. Food and Water Safety: Keep refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve food. Discard any perishable food that has been exposed to temperatures above 40°F for more than two hours
  3. Medical Needs: Ensure you have access to necessary medications and medical supplies. If you rely on power-dependent medical devices, have a backup plan in place

Managing Supply Chain Disruptions

  1. Increase Visibility: Map your supply chain to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop contingency plans
  2. Use Technology: Use technology to monitor and manage supply chain risks, ensuring you can respond quickly to disruptions
  3. Build Resilience: Proactively prepare for disruptions by maintaining a stockpile of essential supplies and establishing relationships with multiple suppliers

By taking these steps, you can help ensure your family's safety and well-being during and after severe weather events like tornadoes and derechos. Stay prepared, stay informed, and stay safe. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit Ready.gov and The American Red Cross.