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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
459 AM EDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK - TORNADOES IN SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND IN 2025...

The National Weather Service (NWS) Boston, MA has declared April
20 through April 24 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Each day
this week we will highlight a different preparedness topic.

 We know that tornadoes do occur here, such as the EF3 in Monson
and Springfield, Massachusetts in 2011, the EF2 in Revere,
Massachusetts in 2014, and 17 EF0 and EF1 tornadoes in southern
New England in 2018. The question is, are people prepared? Take
these steps to ensure that you and your family are safe during a
Tornado Warning.

When your area is under a Tornado Warning, or if you see a
tornado
approaching, you should seek shelter immediately! Most injuries
associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to
protect your head. The following are safety tips for seeking
shelter during high winds and tornadoes.

If you are in a structure such as a residence, small building,
school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, or high-
rise building:
 1. Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement,
 storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no
 basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the
lowest
 level (such as a closet, bathroom, or interior hallway) away
from
 corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as
 possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table
 and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
 2. In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or
 hallway on the lowest floor possible. 3. Do not open windows.

 If you are in a manufactured home or office:
 1. Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such
 as the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm
 shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little
protection
 from tornadoes.

 If you are outside with no shelter available, there is no single
 research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to
 take, because many factors can affect your decision. Possible
 actions include:
 1. Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try
 to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit
by
 flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park and
cover
 your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if
 possible.
 2. Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the roadway
 and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other
 cushion if possible. 3. Do not get under an overpass or bridge.
 You are safer in a low, flat location. 4. Never try to outrun a
 tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead,
 leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

 Make sure that you know the difference between a Tornado Watch
 and a Tornado Warning. A Tornado Watch means that you should be
 prepared because conditions are such that a tornado could form,
 somewhere within the large Watch area. However, a Tornado
Warning
 means that you need to take action! A tornado is either
 occurring, or is imminent, based on radar or spotter
 observations!

 During a Tornado Watch, check for forecast updates, keep an eye
 to the sky, and know where to take shelter. During a Tornado
 Warning, take shelter immediately! Seek further forecast
 information on NOAA Weather Radio, the NWS website, or local
 media outlets for the latest updates.

The first step in making sure that you and your family are
prepared for severe weather is pledging to prepare.  This
includes
developing a family emergency and communications plan.  In short,
know what to do before severe weather strikes by creating an
emergency plan today.

Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is
important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place;
how you will contact one another; how you will get back together;
and what you will do in different situations.

Planning for severe weather also includes:  Ensure that you and
your family members know about your surroundings and severe
weather risks specific to your area. Have an emergency plan in
place, and know what to do before severe weather strikes.  Stay
informed by having multiple sources for weather alerts. Exercise
the plan with your family.

History teaches that a lack of awareness and preparation are
common threads among all major weather disasters. Knowing your
vulnerability and what actions you should take can save your life
and others.  During this preparedness week, we ask you to be a
force of nature.  Know your risk, take action and be an example
by
sharing what you have done to prepare, with your friends, family,
neighbors, and co-workers, and encourage them to do the same.

For more information, visit Weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm or
Ready.gov/make-a-plan

$$

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www.weather.gov/boston

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