Stay Aware: Continue to listen to television or radio local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are possible during severe weather outbreaks.

Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you're okay so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.

Assess the Damage: After the threat of severe storms/tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged.  Take pictures of any storm damage. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes when walking through storm-damaged areas. Stay away from downed utility lines. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Get out of the building if you smell cooking or heating gas. Once you're safe, call 9-1-1.

Help Your Neighbor: If you come across injured people and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until emergency response teams arrive.

Dress for storm clean-up: Wear a shirt with long sleeves and long pants. Boots or sturdy shoes are a must, along with work gloves and a hat. If you're involved in any tree or brush removal, add a hard hat or helmet, ear, and eye protection.

Don't overexert yourself: Be careful when moving heavy objects or debris. Have at least two people work to move heavy objects. Don't lift objects that weigh more than 50 pounds yourself. 

Be careful when using a chain saw: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wear appropriate safety gear - work gloves, eye, ear, and head protection, long pants, and work boots - and keep bystanders a safe distance away from the work/cutting area. Be especially careful when cutting trees or limbs that are partially attached to trees or are under stress. A complete or partial cut can cause the branch, limb or trunk to "snap back."

Ladder safety is #1: Use care when using a ladder to remove debris from a structure or roof. Watch out for low-hanging power lines. Stay at least 6 feet away from any overhead utility line.