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Prepare two plans before severe weather threatens: one that gets every person to a sturdy, designated shelter, and another for livestock that covers identification, supplies, transport, and who can act if you are away. When a tornado warning applies, people should take shelter promptly; an ordinary barn, shed, or storage building is not a safe substitute.
Prepare people before a tornado warning
Know how your area receives tornado watches and warnings, and decide in advance how everyone on the farm will communicate and where they will go. The National Weather Service recommends monitoring forecasts and using local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for warning information. A radio can provide another way to receive alerts, but make sure your plan also accounts for the local systems available to you.
- Choose a shelter people can reach quickly and agree on how everyone will be notified.
- Keep a way to receive warnings available, such as local news or a NOAA Weather Radio.
- Make a communication plan for household members and workers, and practice it before severe weather threatens.
These are core steps in the National Weather Service tornado preparedness guidance.
Choose a safe place for people
For a tornado warning, use a basement, safe room, or interior room away from windows in a sturdy building. The National Weather Service states that “Sheds and storage facilities are not safe.” Do not treat an ordinary barn or outbuilding as tornado shelter. See the National Weather Service guidance on what to do during a tornado.
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- NOAA Weather Scan & Alert - This emergency weather alert radio features S.A.M.E localized programming and alert you to over 60 kinds of weather hazards and emergencies. NOAA Weather Scan will automatically alert you of events.
- S.A.M.E Localized Programming - The Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) allows the user to enter a code that is specific to your country, state, county and in some cases partial county.
- Notification Settings - Program your radio to receive weather alerts from up to 25 different counties and be alerted only when those specific counties are threatened. Color-coded alert indicators show the alert type and its severity.
- Additional Features - SAME localized programming, continuous backlighting option which keeps the LCD on, 25 programmable counties, color-coded alert indicators, alert override automatically switches to warn of impending danger.
- Experience a comprehensive range of radios from Midland, designed to keep you connected and informed. Our radios offer an array of features, including reliable real-time weather alerts, and robust two-way communication capabilities.
If you live in a mobile home
Identify a nearby building that you can reach quickly before severe weather arrives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people not to stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Because travel time and farm location matter, select the destination ahead of time rather than trying to decide after a warning is issued. See CDC tornado preparation guidance.
Make a separate livestock plan
There is no universal instruction to evacuate livestock or leave them in place: the right decision depends on the hazard, whether shelter is safe, available transport and housing, animal-care needs, and local emergency-management instructions. Decide in advance what is feasible and where animals could go. The USDA’s October 2016 livestock preparedness fact sheet emphasizes planning ahead: “Any disaster, whether it’s a flood, hurricane, tornado or earthquake, can catch you off guard and leave you in danger.”
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- PORTABLE RADIO & HEADPHONE JACK - This portable radio is small, light, and IPX3 water-resistant, only 1.2LB, measures: 6.8×3.7×2.9 inches, which is easier to carry with you anywhere. Includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack, allowing you to listen to the weather broadcast at night without disturbing your travel buddies. Weather alerts are beneficial during outdoor adventures like fishing, camping, and hiking, can keep you well-prepared for severe weather and stay safe.
Build and maintain an evacuation kit
The USDA recommends preparing supplies that can support animal care and handling. Keep the kit accessible and review it so feed and medicines remain usable.
- Feed, water, supplements, and medications
- Rope or a lariat, halters or leads, and other needed handling supplies
- Cleaning supplies and knives
- Veterinary records and proof of ownership
The USDA livestock preparedness fact sheet also recommends identifying animals with suitable methods such as tags, bands, tattoos, or microchips.
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- 【Versatile Emergency Flashlight & Soft Reading Light】The noaa am fm radio includes a powerful flashlight that casts a focused beam up to 260 feet, perfect for dark trails, tents, or emergency navigation. Flip up the frosted reading lamp to enjoy a soft, warm glow that’s easy on the eyes. Both LED lights offer two brightness levels to match your needs—whether for safety or comfort.
Plan destinations, transport, and backup help
Identify possible livestock destinations in advance, such as a friend’s or relative’s property, a fairground, or another suitable location. Work out how animals would be transported and housed, and follow local emergency-management directions when a storm threatens.
If you may be away, designate a neighbor who knows the animals and procedures. Show that person where the kit is, how to reach you, and what steps to follow. A plan is more useful when someone else can carry it out without having to guess.
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- S.A.M.E Programming: Improve your emergency preparedness with equipped with digital S.A.M.E. technology, weather radio seamlessly connects to your county's warning system, providing you with instant weather updates from the National Weather Service. Features a convenient USB output, allowing you to charge your devices directly from the radio itself. Program up to 25 counties and choose from 80 different emergency alerts, this advanced weather radio from Midland ensures that you stay informed.
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For AWA-regulated facilities: document and practice the plan
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service guidance is specifically for facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), rather than a universal farm requirement. For those facilities, APHIS recommends a current written contingency plan that staff know and practice, along with copies of the plan and animal inventory for local emergency management. Planning should cover evacuation zones, routes, methods, and prearranged sites for animals.
- Keep vehicles and trailers maintained and ready for the role assigned to them.
- Maintain fencing and buildings; APHIS identifies strong, well-maintained structures as a way to reduce flying-debris risks.
- Keep animal identification and recapture equipment available.
- Do not leave animals tied so they cannot escape danger.
- Wait until conditions are safe before checking animals; afterward, assess injuries and structural hazards.
These are preparedness measures, not a guarantee that animals or buildings can be protected in every tornado. APHIS’s weather-emergency guidance for AWA-regulated facilities was last modified February 24, 2026.
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- PRETTY PORTABLE - The noaa radio is as portable as an iPhone, its compact size makes it easy to store in your emergency kit and backpack without taking up much space, and you can easily hold it with just one hand. Comes with a handy lanyard, it's convenient for you to listen.Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.2in, Weight: 0.24lb (exclude battery).
- A ESSENTIAL TO EMERGENCY KIT - This battery radio emergency is about weather news. Weather Band: 162.40-162.55kHz (include 7 NOAA),FM: 87-108 MHz, AM:520-1710 kHz Covering 7 NOAA weather bands, it delivers timely updates on upcoming severe weather conditions like storms, hurricanes and tornadoes, even when power fails or there is no internet available. So you'll get valuable time to stay prepared for emergencies. Note: Not support automatic notification for NOAA alerts.
- BATTERY POWERED RADIO - Runs on just 2 AA batteries, this noaa emergency weather radio ensures continuous operation during power outages, as long as you keep some spare AA batteries at home. When you’re out and about, toss some AA batteries in your bag, and save the hassle of searching for a power outlet. It’s your reliable companion for staying informed and safe.
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