Tornado Safety and Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 2 Jun 2013 - Updated: 25 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information explains how people with disabilities and medical conditions can prepare for tornadoes, which are some of the most sudden and violent storms on Earth and often leave little time to reach shelter away from home. It lays out practical steps for anyone who may need extra help or more time to act, including people with mobility, vision, hearing, or intellectual disabilities, people who rely on power-dependent medical equipment, and those who need dialysis or other life-sustaining care. The guidance covers building a personal support network, registering with local fire departments and emergency management offices, carrying emergency health information or a medical alert tag, keeping a whistle or flashlight to signal rescuers, stocking medications and supplies, and posting a list of equipment, dosages, and contacts on the refrigerator. Because standard emergency plans often assume a person can hear a siren, see a warning, or move quickly, this checklist is a useful planning tool for people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, and neighbors who want to help.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Only about one in every hundred thunderstorms produces a tornado.
• 2 - The strongest tornadoes can reach wind speeds over 200 mph, and in extreme cases close to 300 mph.
• 3 - A car battery can power a wheelchair in an emergency, though it will not last as long as a deep-cycle wheelchair battery.
• 4 - Some utility companies keep maps and lists of power-dependent customers for use during emergencies. Contacting the customer service department can confirm whether this service is offered locally.

Topic Definition

Tornado Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Tornado preparedness for people with disabilities is the process of planning ahead so that people with physical, sensory, cognitive, or medical conditions can get warnings, reach shelter, and stay safe when a tornado threatens. It goes beyond a standard family emergency plan by accounting for things like accessible alerts for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, backup power for wheelchairs and life-support equipment, extra medication and medical supplies, service animal needs, and help getting to a safe room or shelter. A good plan usually includes a personal support network of family, friends, and neighbors, registration with local emergency services, and emergency health information that goes with the person at all times.

Overview

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending between, and in contact with, a cloud and the surface of the earth. Tornadoes are generally spawned by thunderstorms, though they have been known to occur without the presence of lightning. The stronger tornadoes attain an intensity, with wind speeds that exceed 200 mph and in extreme cases may approach 300 mph.

Tornadoes are the most unpredictable, violent, and sudden storms on planet earth. They are not like hurricanes that occur over open waters and may take days to reach land. Tornadoes are spawned from thunderstorms that form when warm and humid air meets a mass of dry and cool air. Only one in a hundred thunderstorms produces a tornado. The storms happen rapidly and many times remain on the ground for only a few minutes.

The state of Florida receives the most tornados of any state in America, while a strip of land that reaches from northeast Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri has more tornadoes than any other place in the United States. The area is referred to as, 'Tornado Alley.' A safe room may provide people with life saving protection from the forces of tornadoes and severe winds. You might not have enough time to seek shelter outside of the home you live in during a tornado.

People with disabilities or medical conditions might have to take additional steps to protect themselves during an emergency such as a tornado. If you have family members, friends, or neighbors with disabilities help them with the following additional precautions. People with disabilities may require assistance and more lead time to prepare for such a disaster. The list below provides you with some practical tips for people with disabilities during an emergency.

• If you call 911, tap the space bar to engage the TDD system.
• Keep a whistle, bell, or flashlight at hand to signal your location to other people.
• Consider installing an alarm with a strobe light outside of your home to alert neighbors.
• If you live in an apartment building ask the management to clearly mark accessible exits.
• Register with your local fire department, emergency management, and volunteer centers.
• Install fire safety devices in your home such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and a flashlight.
• If you experience a mobility impairment and work or live in a high-rise building have an escape chair.
• Have an alternative means of communication such as a writing tablet, a dry erase board, or markers.
• Identify a number of evacuation routes at your home and at work, and ask your employer to include and test the plans.
• Test your alarms and extinguishers on a regular basis and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms every six months.
• Stock additional emergency supplies such as blankets, batteries, medications, cash, water, non-perishable foods, and a weather radio.
• Post emergency instructions on your refrigerator, including a list of the equipment you need, medication dosages, and emergency contact numbers.
• Create a personal support network of family members, friends, and neighbors who can help in disaster preparations and getting you to a place that is safe.
• Carry emergency health information and contacts with you all the time. A medical alert bracelet or tag to identify the disabilities you experience can be helpful.
• If you use a battery-operated wheelchair, life-support system, or other equipment that is power-dependent - call your power company before a power outage threatens.
• Keep extra oxygen, wheelchair batteries, medications, catheters, food for hearing or guide dogs and additions items you might need, as well as a list of the type and serial numbers of the medical devices you use.

A number of utility companies maintain a map and list of the locations of customers who are power-dependent in case of an emergency. Ask your utility companies what alternatives are available in your area. Contact the customer service department of your utility companies to find out if this service is available where you live.

If you use a power wheelchair or a scooter keep an extra battery. A car battery might also be used with a wheelchair, but it will not last as long as a wheelchair's deep-cycle battery. Store a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup.

If you are blind or experience a visual disability, store a Braille or talking clock, or a large-print timepiece with additional batteries. If you are deaf or experience a hearing loss, consider getting a small portable battery-operated television set. Emergency broadcasts might provide information in American Sign Language (ASL) or through captions.

People with visual impairments might be extremely reluctant to leave surroundings that are familiar to them when the request for evacuation comes from a person they do not know. A guide dog may become disoriented or confused during a disaster. People with visual impairments may have to depend on other people to lead them or their guide dog to safety during a disaster.

People who experience a hearing impairment might need to make arrangements to receive warnings. Those who experience mobility impairments may need assistance to get to shelter. People who do not have a vehicle may need to make arrangements for transportation.

Those who have special dietary needs should take additional precautions and have an adequate emergency food supply. Anyone with a medical condition needs to know the location and availability of more than one facility if they are dependent on a dialysis machine for example, or other life-sustaining treatment or equipment. People with intellectual disabilities might need assistance with responding to emergencies and getting to shelter. Remember that during a disaster such as a tornado, helping your neighbor means everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

A tornado watch means conditions are right for tornadoes to form in the area, so people should review their plans and be ready to act. A tornado warning means a tornado has been seen or detected on radar, and people in the warned area should take shelter right away.

Where is the safest place for a wheelchair user during a tornado?

The safest spot is a basement, storm shelter, or safe room. If those cannot be reached, go to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows, such as a bathroom, closet, or hallway, and protect the head and neck with a helmet, pillow, or blanket.

How can deaf or hard of hearing people get tornado alerts?

Options include Wireless Emergency Alerts on cell phones, NOAA Weather Radios with strobe lights or bed shakers, weather apps with vibration alerts, and local text alert programs. Relying on outdoor sirens alone is not recommended.

Are mobile homes safe during a tornado?

No. Mobile and manufactured homes offer very little protection, even when tied down. People who live in them should plan ahead to reach a sturdy building or community shelter as soon as a tornado watch is issued.

Can service animals go into tornado shelters?

Yes. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, public emergency shelters in the United States must allow service animals. It is still a good idea to pack food, water, and any medication the animal needs.

Can FEMA help pay for a safe room?

In some areas, FEMA hazard mitigation grants given to states and local governments help pay for residential safe rooms. Homeowners should contact their state or local emergency management office to find out what programs are available.

How long should an emergency kit last?

Most emergency agencies recommend having enough water, food, and supplies for at least 72 hours. People who rely on medication or medical supplies should aim to keep at least a 7 day supply when possible.

What time of year do most tornadoes happen?

In the United States, tornadoes are most common in spring and early summer, but they can happen in any month and at any time of day or night.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Tornado warnings can come with only minutes of notice, and that short window hits people with disabilities hardest. Someone who uses a power wheelchair, is deaf, or depends on oxygen or a ventilator can't always just grab a bag and head to the basement, which is why planning needs to happen well before storm season. Some of the most useful advice here is also the easiest to miss: keep a lightweight manual wheelchair as a backup, keep a Braille, talking, or large-print clock with spare batteries, use a battery-operated TV to get emergency broadcasts with captions or ASL, and know that a guide dog may become confused in the chaos of a disaster. People with visual impairments may also be reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when a stranger asks them to evacuate, so it helps to agree on trusted helpers ahead of time. Emergency plans only work when they include everyone, and in a fast-moving tornado, a neighbor who knows what you need and checks on you can make all the difference.*

Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursuing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has provided care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.