NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — Severe spring weather includes tornadoes, floods, and thunderstorms, and the American Red Cross wants everyone to prepare ahead of time in case of an emergency.

Two things the American Red Cross highlights are to stay aware of the weather and listen to your local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. You can also download the Red Cross Emergency App with tornado features to stay protected.

“Our bilingual app provides expert advice on to how prepare and respond to severe weather and features like real-time local alerts for severe weather and hazards as well as a map with local Red Cross shelters,” shared the Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving Western North Dakota, Zoe Wergeland Manstrom.

You can also review these tips to keep not only yourself but your loved ones safe too.

Tornado Safety:

• Find a safe place in your home where household members and pets can gather (i.e. a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows).
• In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building (you may not have the time to get to the lowest floor).
• In a mobile home, find a safe place in a nearby building. If your park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home is safe in a tornado.
• If you are under a tornado warning, find safe shelter immediately. Make sure to stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
• Never go under an overpass or bridge — you’re safe in a low, flat location.
• Keep an eye out for flying debris that could cause injury or death.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Thunderstorm Safety:

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger. As the saying goes, “If thunder roars, go indoors.” Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
• If a warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or a vehicle with the windows closed. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.
• Postpone outdoor activities — many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is falling.
• Avoid electrical equipment and telephones — use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
• Shutter windows, close outside doors, and stay away from windows.
• Don’t take a bath or shower, or use plumbing.
• If you’re driving, safely exit the road and park. Stay inside and turn on flashers until the rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.
• If you’re outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground, water, tall isolated trees, and metal objects like fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts, and sheds are not safe.
• Don’t drive through flooded roads since you don’t know how deep the water is.
• Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local TV news for updated information or instructions.
• Help people who may need assistance (i.e. infants, children, and the elderly or disabled).
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them right away.

For more information, you can visit this website .

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