Missouri tornado safety tips: What HOAs and condos should know

The importance of preparing for Missouri tornado season

Summertime is the perfect time for outdoor activities. Whether it’s family barbecues, trips to the lake, or cooling off with ice cream, there's plenty to enjoy. However, Missouri’s peak tornado season also falls during the warmer months, making it critical for residents and board members in HOAs and condo associations to be prepared. With Missouri ranking among the top 10 states for annual tornado activity, homeowners and community associations must have clear action plans in place to minimize risks and protect residents from tornadoes throughout Missouri and the Kansas City Area.

"While you can’t prevent tornadoes, you can take steps so your family, home, and association are as prepared as possible. Preparing in advance can help minimize injury, reduce damage, and increase your chances of staying safe if a storm strikes without warning."

Shannon Pulse, Vice President, Property Management

If you’re a member of your homeowners association board, you’ll want to take additional measures to protect your residents and property as well. One of the most important things you can do is inform your residents about the risks of dangerous storms and how to respond.

Ways to keep emergency preparedness top of mind for your residents include providing emergency response information on a regular basis, perhaps within a quarterly newsletter. For more in-depth information, you can prepare a handbook that is updated on an annual basis and provided to residents and/or housed in easy-to-find places throughout the community. When severe weather is on its way, we also recommend sending out a notice to remind residents of anything they should do ahead of the storm. For example, if living in a high-rise community it’s important to remind residents to remove anything from their balconies that could get picked up by the wind that could become a real danger to residents and cause additional damage.
 

Tornado safety tips for your Missouri community

If your Missouri or Kansas community is partnered with a quality property management company, they can assist with immediate communications to residents during an emergency using a system that can send texts, emails, and phone calls. Let’s take a look at some of the things you, as a board member, may communicate to residents about what they should do to prepare for severe weather.

1. Understand tornado alerts

   Missouri/Kansas residents should be familiar with weather warning terminology to know when to act:
    
   • Severe thunderstorm watch: Conditions suggest a severe storm may develop.
      
   • Severe thunderstorm warning: A storm is occurring or expected soon, often with strong winds and possible tornadoes.
      
   • Tornado watch: Tornadoes are possible, and you should stay alert.
      
   • Tornado warning: A tornado has been spotted or detected by radar. Seek shelter immediately.



2. Look for signs

   Missouri tornadoes don’t always need the help of a thunderstorm to be formed. Some signs of a developing tornado may include dark or green-colored skies (bruise-like coloring) or a low-flying cloud that looks large and dark. Another potential sign is a loud, continuous sound similar to a rumbling freight train. If you observe these conditions, take shelter immediately.
    

3. Make a plan

   A well-thought-out plan can reduce confusion and help residents act quickly when a tornado strikes. Start by identifying the safest room in your home. Interior rooms on the lowest floor without windows are usually best, such as a basement (or a storm shelter if you have one). Other locations could include a first-story room without windows such as a hallway, bathroom, or closet. Conduct tornado drills, especially if you have a family, so everyone knows where they should go immediately. Also, make sure everyone knows how to shut off the power, water, and gas. Keep a family first aid kit ready as well as a fire extinguisher on hand. Finally, keeping fresh batteries stored in these locations can be a lifesaver if the power goes out and you need to use them for flashlights or battery-powered radios.
    

4. Keep important documents accessible

   Tornadoes in the Missouri and Kansas can be unpredictable, so it’s important to keep your essential documents in a secure place. Keep copies of emergency contact numbers and names of your close neighbors, insurance agents, community association managers, and a landlord if you have one. Also, have your insurance policy numbers and medical information of every family member.
   
   Additionally, keep a record of your vehicle and bank account numbers, and instructions on how to retrieve emergency storm information from a radio or TV if the connection goes out and you cannot use your phone. Keep a folder filled with copies of birth certificates, insurance policies, wills, home contents, and social security cards that are then stored in a waterproof and fireproof safe at your bank. Consider adding digital copies of this information in cloud-based storage for an added layer of protection in case physical copies are lost.
    

5. Take shelter

   Finding the right place to take cover during a Missouri/Kansas tornado is key to staying safe. Here are a few tornado safety tips depending on where you are when the tornado strikes:
    
   • At home: Move to a small, windowless room on the lowest floor. If you have extra blankets, thick sleeping bags, or mattresses, you can use these to prevent yourself and your family from any flying objects or glass. If a sturdy table is in the room, everyone should get under it.
      
   • In a car: If you’re in your car and there is no sturdy shelter nearby, don’t try to outrun the tornado. Instead, pull over — preferably in an area that is lower than the road — and secure your safety belt, lower your head below window level, and cover your body with a blanket or jacket. Don’t try to park beneath a bridge or overpass, as these open structures can intensify wind speeds and leave you vulnerable to flying debris.
      
   • Outdoors: If you’re outdoors on foot, seek shelter immediately — even if it’s inside a stationary vehicle. As a last resort, lie down in the lowest-lying area of ground you can find and cover your head with your hands.

More tornado safety resources for Missouri and the Kansas City area

For more valuable storm safety information and guidelines, check out the helpful government resources below:

• Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA): Local tornado preparedness and response plans.
   
• Red Cross: Tornado safety tips, checklists, and preparedness strategies.
   
• National Weather Service: Live storm alerts and forecasts.
   
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Emergency planning and recovery resources.
   
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): National preparedness tips and emergency response guidelines.
   
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Tornado workplace safety regulations.
   
• NOAA Weather Radio: Real-time tornado warnings and updates.

By following these tornado safety tips, HOAs and condo associations can play a crucial role in preparing residents for Kansas and Missouri tornadoes and other severe weather events. For more information, contact us today.

This article provides general guidance on tornado safety tips for communities throughout the Missouri/Kansas area. It is not intended to replace professional advice, legal guidance, or emergency services. For specific concerns or immediate assistance, consult local emergency management authorities or appropriate professionals. Always prioritize the safety and well-being of community members by following official advisories and protocols.