Tornadoes claim numerous lives and cost the US millions in damage every year, so learning how to stay safe before, during, and after these disasters is crucial for folks across the country. Though Florida isn’t part of or even next to “Tornado Alley,” the state’s still not immune to the angry funnel-shaped windstorms. Fortunately, a Florida independent insurance agent can get you set up with all the protection you need. But first, here’s an in-depth guide to tornado safety.

How to Stay Safe before a Tornado in Florida, Part I: Prepare an Emergency Kit

One of the most commonly recommended safety tips by experts like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross is to prepare an emergency kit to have on hand during natural disasters, well in advance. Though tornadoes commonly only last between 10 minutes to an hour, a particularly destructive storm could leave you and your family without power or even stranded for several days.

While emergency kits should include basic essentials that are likely no-brainers for many folks, experts also recommend a few items that may be less obvious. Regardless, the stress of an impending disaster could cause anyone to forget basic necessities.

Grab the following supplies to assemble your emergency kit before the tornado hits:

• Non-perishable food (at least a three-day supply)
• Bottled water (one gallon per person, per day)
• Cellphones and chargers
• Radio
• Battery-powered TV
• Prescription medications and/or inhalers
• Multi-purpose tool
• Flashlight
• Whistle
• Hygiene and sanitation items
• Protective clothing (e.g., gloves, boots, hats, and jackets)
• Pet food and supplies
• Games for children
• Blankets
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Important documents in a safe container
• Cash
• Local maps (in case of evacuation)

Obviously not all of these items will apply to everyone, so use your best judgment to pick and choose what’s necessary for the safety of your family and yourself.

How to Stay Safe before a Tornado in Florida Part II: Prepare Your Home and Your Family for Impact

Your emergency kit is ready to go, but you’ve still got plenty more work to do before the storm hits. Since you may not be able to plan exactly where you’ll be upon impact, it’s a good idea to prepare both your home and your car. Following these pro tips in advance can help you stay safe during the tornado:

• Designate a safe room: During a tornado, the safest place to wait out the storm is in an interior room away from all exterior doors and windows, on the lowest level. Whenever possible, use a basement or detached underground cellar as your safe room for a tornado. Practice having all family members take shelter in your safe room in advance so you’ll be well prepared when a tornado comes.
• Prepare your house: Bring outdoor furniture and other loose objects inside, secure windows, shutters, and doors, and set your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. Trim potentially hazardous tree/shrub branches to help protect your home from further unnecessary damage. Finally, bring your emergency supply kit into your designated safe room. Note: Mobile homes are not safe places to take shelter in during a tornado. If you live in a mobile home and are aware of an approaching tornado, seek shelter inside a more secure building ASAP.
• Prepare your apartment: Bring any outdoor furniture or other belongings such as planters inside. Install shutters or panels on any sliding glass doors or windows, but note that renters may need to check in with their landlord before making these modifications. Have your emergency kit waiting in your safe room, or ready to take with you to a safer location on a lower level. You may want to make arrangements to stay with another tenant in advance.
• Prepare your car: Fill your gas tank in advance in case of emergency evacuation and bring the car into a garage or carport if possible. Double-check all headlights and taillights to make sure they’re working properly. Make sure your wiper blades are functional as well. Put local maps and planned emergency evacuation routes inside the glove box, ready to grab. Keep your GPS up to date.

You may want to prepare a second emergency kit to keep in your car, so you’re not scrambling to find the first one if you’re ordered to evacuate immediately by local authorities.

How to Stay Safe during a Tornado in Florida, Even if You’re Not Home

Once the storm hits, wherever you are, it’s time to grit your teeth and take shelter as best you can. Staying safe means different things depending on your location, though. Take these tips to heart for remaining safe during a tornado, whether you’re at home or out, or even on the road:

• Stay safe in your home: Find an interior room in your house or apartment away from external doors and windows to protect yourself from heavy winds. When possible, stay  in a basement/cellar or on the lowest level. Take shelter in the center of the room, avoiding corners because they can attract debris build-ups. Keep your phone/radio/TV on and stay connected to Florida stations’ live updates on the storm’s location, as well as orders from your local government so you’ll know ASAP if you’re ordered to evacuate.
• Stay safe inside another building: If you’re at work or in any other building when the tornado hits, follow the same action plan you would if you were home. Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest level. Be sure to avoid cafeterias, auditoriums, large hallways, shopping malls, and gymnasiums due to their flat, wide-span roofs. Break out the cellphone, radio, laptop or TV to stay connected to local Florida stations and listen for live storm updates and instructions.
• Take additional cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from flying or falling objects. If possible, form an additional barricade around yourself and family members using furniture and/or blankets.
• Stay safe inside your car: Never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle, but if you’re already on the road or ordered to evacuate and there’s a tornado in your area, follow these tips. If you have a passenger or are able to pull over, connect to Florida’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency Management website to find local evacuation routes. Do your best to avoid bridges. Be aware that stop lights may have lost power, so check your surroundings twice before driving through intersections. You can also locate emergency shelters in your area through FEMA’s mobile app. If the tornado is very close to you, pull over and seek shelter in a ditch or other area that’s lower than the road, and cover your head with your arms. If you’re trapped in your car and see flying debris, keep your head below window level and cover up with a blanket.

Regardless of where you are, your best chance at remaining safe during a tornado, aside from keeping your emergency kit close, is to stay connected to Florida’s local, live updates. If you’re ordered to evacuate, get a move on.

How to Stay Safe after a Tornado in Florida: Remain Cautious

After the storm passes, hazardous conditions may still be present. If you’ve evacuated, stay put until otherwise instructed by local officials in Florida. Otherwise, follow these action steps to keep safe once the tornado has left the area:

• Stay connected to live updates: Even after the tornado has passed, it’s still important to stay connected to local Florida stations for updates of further instructions.
• If trapped, signal for help: It’s important to keep your nose and mouth covered to avoid inhaling debris if you’re trapped after the tornado. Use your phone or laptop to send emergency messages, or create loud noise by banging against furniture, walls, or pipes to signal to outside help. Avoid speaking/yelling as much as possible.
• Be aware of your surroundings: As you move from your current location to another following the tornado, be aware of potential dangers like fallen power lines or unstable objects that have been thrown and stacked by tornado winds.
• Avoid entering other buildings: Try not to enter another location until it’s been inspected. Electrical systems, gas lines, septic and plumbing systems may have been damaged during the tornado and can present dangerous conditions.  
• Put on safety gear: Suit up in your boots or heavy-duty shoes, pants, and rubber gloves following the storm. Grab a cloth or mask to cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing in irritants if your area was hit hard by the tornado. Storms can stir up potentially dangerous airborne debris like mold and dust. You may also have animals, pests, or strangers in your home to watch out for.
• Toss any contaminated food: Food that may have perished due to power outages or has otherwise been compromised by the storm damage should be tossed. Also be sure to wait until the “OK” is given from local officials before using tap water, though you may choose to boil or otherwise purify it for use in the meantime.
• Perform a deep clean: All surfaces that got dusty or dirty from the tornado should be cleaned and disinfected ASAP.

Finally, you may wish to connect with any friends, family, or other emergency contacts outside of your area to update them on your status after the tornado has passed. If your home has become unlivable, you might also want to make temporary lodging arrangements with your emergency contacts.

What Does Tornado Insurance Cover?

While many standard Florida homeowners insurance policies include coverage for wind and hail damage, if an area is particularly prone to tornadoes, you may be required to have a separate policy. Homeowners insurance companies in areas where tornadoes are frequent are sometimes allowed by the state to exclude coverage for these disasters in their policies, thus the need for additional insurance.

Tornado insurance, more commonly called wind and hail insurance, is designed to provide crucial coverage in the event that a homeowners policy excludes protection for these perils. The insurance company agrees to reimburse the homeowner for damages relating to either wind or hail following a natural disaster. Having adequate coverage can help prevent a homeowner from losing their home following a particularly costly strike by Mother Nature.

Tornado or wind and hail policies in Florida often cover the following:

• Structural damage: Covers what insurance companies refer to as the “dwelling,” or the structure of the home itself. Damage to or destruction of the dwelling, often as well as detached external structures like sheds, by wind/hail is covered.
• Personal property damage: Covers your personal belongings like furniture, clothing, electronics, knickknacks, silverware, etc. from damage or destruction by wind/hail. Items stored within the home as well as external storage units are covered, though property stored off-premises may have a lower coverage limit.  
• Additional living expenses: Covers living expenses in the event your home gets badly damaged or destroyed by wind/hail and you’re forced to live elsewhere while awaiting repairs. Your insurance company provides reimbursements for things like hotel rooms, eating out, extra gas mileage and more. Additional living expenses cover the difference in spending to maintain your normal lifestyle while living away from the home.

Many tornado or wind and hail insurance policies include these three main components, however, your coverage may vary. Working together with a Florida independent insurance agent is the best way to ensure you get set up with the right amount of coverage for your home.

Why Work with a Florida Independent Insurance Agent?

In order to get the protection you need and deserve, you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. And who could be better for the job than a local agent who shares your area code? Independent insurance agents act as your own personal insurance shoppers, offering you tons more options than one-policy companies. With just one call, they’ll hook you up with multiple quotes.

Florida independent insurance agents are armed with knowledge on what coverage is needed in your area, and they’ll get you set up with just enough of it — not too little, not too much. They’ll handle all the heavy lifting so you can rest assured you’ll be set up with the right coverage at the right price.

They’re not just there at the beginning either. If disaster strikes, your Florida agent will be there to help walk you through the claims process and make sure you’re getting the benefits you're entitled to. Now that’s thinking ahead.