We experience an average of more than 20 tornadoes a year in Indiana, and the best way to protect yourself should one strike your location is to be prepared. Knowing the difference between a watch and warning can help you determine the risks you may face.

Things you should do

• When you find out there is a tornado warning for your location, get inside a building, get away from exterior walls, and go down as far as you can.
• Get a weather radio and ensure it has full batteries in it.
• Take your weather radio with you to where you seek shelter so you can learn when a tornado warning expires.
• If you are in a car and a tornado is near, get out of your car and get inside a building, or lie in a ditch and protect your head with your hands.

Don't do these

• Never wait for a siren to be sure if the danger is real; always head for shelter as soon as you get an alert from the National Weather Service or IU-Notify.
• Don’t rely on just IU-Notify for weather warnings. If you don’t have a weather radio, get an app for phone with tornado alerts.
• Don’t leave your shelter until an all clear has been given.
• Never seek shelter under a bridge; the bridge will act as a funnel and strengthen the winds underneath.