A Guide to Developing a Tornado Emergency Plan for Schools

Also includes information for Instruction of Tornado Safety

The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, March 1999

The purpose of this guide is to help school administrators and teachers design a tornado emergency plan for their school. While not every possible situation is covered by the guide, it will provide enough information to serve as a starting point and a general outline of actions to take. Remember, safety is always the foremost concern. The ultimate goal is to "quickly inform teachers and students anywhere on the school grounds to the threat of a tornado and to move them as quickly as possible to a pre-designated shelter." Tornadoes occur with rapid onset and, perhaps, no warning. Decisions must be made fast and actions taken immediately. One cannot wait for the storms to strike to plan what must be done to save lives. Prepare now and develop an emergency action plan for your school.