Tornado help for your power, utilities and home

Wattie is not an emergency service

Wattie does not issue tornado warnings, track storms or report live outages. For warnings, rely on the National Weather Service, local alerts and official emergency instructions. For outage and restoration information, rely on your utility.

Preparing before tornado season

• Identify your safe place — a basement, storm shelter or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
• Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights, charged power banks and spare batteries.
• Save your utility's outage number and app, and know where your main breaker and gas and water shutoffs are.
• Keep copies of utility account numbers, recent bills and home photos with your important documents.
• If someone relies on powered medical equipment, plan backup power and an alternate location with their provider and device supplier.

Downed power lines and electrical hazards

• Stay far away from downed power lines and anything touching them, including fences, cars, trees and puddles. Assume every line is live.
• Report downed lines to your utility or 911 right away.
• If a line falls on your vehicle, stay inside unless there is fire, and call 911.
• If you smell gas, see sparks or hear buzzing, leave the area and call your utility or 911 from a safe distance.

Utility shutoffs and home electrical damage

If your home is damaged, it may be safest to turn off power at the main breaker — but only if you can reach it without standing in water or entering an unsafe structure. Utilities may also shut off service to damaged areas for safety.

If your meter, service mast or wiring is damaged, a licensed electrician may need to repair it, and some areas require an inspection before the utility can reconnect. Your utility can explain what it repairs and what is the homeowner's responsibility.

Extended outages, food and backup power

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. FoodSafety.gov advises a closed refrigerator generally keeps food safe about four hours and a full freezer about 48 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Never run a generator indoors or in a garage, and never plug one into a wall outlet — use a properly installed transfer switch.
• Home batteries may supply backup power only if the system is set up for it; check your installer or system documentation.

Utility restoration

After a tornado, utilities typically restore critical facilities and main lines first, then neighborhoods and individual homes. Estimates can change as crews find more damage. Use your utility's official outage map, app or phone line for current information.

Disaster assistance and official resources

Programs, incentives, utilities and resources vary by state, utility, location, household and current conditions. Eligibility is always decided by the official program or provider.

• FEMA and DisasterAssistance.gov — federal disaster assistance when a disaster declaration covers your area.
• Ready.gov — official tornado safety and preparation guidance.
• American Red Cross — shelters, supplies and recovery help.
• State and local emergency management — local alerts, shelters and recovery programs.
• Your utility — outage reporting, restoration updates and any post-disaster bill or payment options.

Related help topics

• Disaster and emergency help
• Power outage help
• Hurricane help
• Accessibility and voice