What storms are you most likely to face?
Think about the season, too. Some places see thunderstorms in summer, ice in winter and wind in spring, so your plan may need more than one version. Write the plan on one page and keep a copy where everyone can find it, including any teenager or helper who looks after the place when you are away.
Your local National Weather Service office can tell you which hazards are common in your area: tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, straight-line wind, ice, hurricanes or heavy snow. Different storms call for different shelter and supplies, so list the ones that actually happen where you live.
Learn the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means conditions could produce a storm. A warning means the storm is happening or about to happen, and you should act now.
- Learn your area's main storm types
- Know the watch and warning terms
- Sign up for local alerts
Where is your safest shelter?
Pick a place in your home for each storm type and make sure everyone knows it. For tornadoes, that usually means the lowest level, in an interior room away from windows, but ask your local emergency management office for guidance that fits your building type. Mobile homes and some outbuildings are not safe shelters in severe wind.
Practice getting to shelter, including at night and with children. Keep shoes, flashlights and a radio in or near that spot. Decide what to do for farm workers or family members who are in the field or the barn when a warning comes.
How do you prepare the property before a storm?
Look at the buildings themselves. Loose roofing, weak door latches, and gaps under eaves let wind in. Small repairs done on a calm weekend cost far less than damage done in an hour of wind. For anything high or structural, hire a qualified contractor and never work on a roof in wet or windy weather.
Walk the farm and secure what can fly: feed bins, trailers, panels, tarps, ladders, plastic containers and loose roofing. Check trees near buildings and power lines for dead limbs, but leave work near power lines to the utility or qualified professionals. Clear gutters and culverts so water can drain.
Fill vehicles with fuel, charge phones and batteries, and move equipment out of low areas. Close and latch doors and windows on outbuildings so wind cannot get inside and lift a roof.
What should you do with animals during a storm?
Animals are usually safer in sturdy shelter or in open pasture away from trees, power lines and metal fencing than in a flimsy building. The right choice depends on the storm and the facilities. Ask your extension office what is advised for your species and your area.
Make sure water and feed are available, and check fences and gates before the storm arrives. Never risk your life to move animals during a tornado or lightning storm. Afterward, walk the fence lines and count animals before assuming that all is well.
- Check shelter strength before the season
- Provide water and feed ahead of time
- Keep animal identification current
What supplies should you have on hand?
Keep a list of phone numbers on paper, including your veterinarian, your utility, your insurance agent, a neighbor and a relative out of the area. Phones die, and a paper list works when screens do not. Keep copies of insurance papers and animal records in a waterproof bag.
Gather basics in one place: flashlights, extra batteries, a battery or crank radio, a first aid kit, drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, phone chargers, important papers and cash. Think about your family's specific needs, such as baby supplies, pet food or medical devices.
Check supplies twice a year. Replace anything old or damaged, and make sure everybody knows where they are kept. If you use a generator, read the safety section of your manual and never run one inside a house or building.
What should you do after the storm?
Stay inside until it is safe, then check on household members first. Treat downed power lines as live and stay far away from them. Report them to the utility. Watch for broken glass, unstable trees, damaged structures and hidden hazards in debris.
Take photos of damage before cleanup, and contact your insurance agent. Check on neighbors, especially older people and anyone who lives alone, and share what you learn about road conditions and help.
Key takeaways
- Learn the storm types in your area and the difference between a watch and a warning.
- Choose a shelter, practice getting there, and keep supplies in or near it.
- Secure loose items and check trees, gates and fences before the season starts.
- After a storm, avoid downed lines, photograph damage and check on neighbors.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.