Tornado Safety Tips Every Wyoming Family Should Know

Severe thunderstorms are fairly common during Wyoming summers, but it seems tornadoes have been popping up more often this summer than in years past.

READ MORE: Big Piney, WY, Twister Video

The active weather has given storm chasers like Chelsea Burnett plenty of opportunities to see large storms roll across Wyoming. In the video posted by Chelsea from Monday, June 22, 2026, you'll see a plethora of wind, rain, hail, and funky conditions in the sky.

When I was a kid, severe thunderstorms freaked my sisters and me out because we lived far enough out of town that we couldn't hear the tornado sirens if a twister popped up. In school, we would go through tornado drills, where we had to go out into the hallway with the rest of the school, lie on the floor, and put our hands over our heads.

As I got older and needed to know more about the weather for my job, it became fascinating to me because of how powerful and complex the weather could be.

When I lived in the Midwest, thunderstorms and tornadoes were common. When I lived in the Deep South, hurricanes were the concern, and the more I learned about the weather, the more interesting it was. So much so that a group of us would go out and chase a storm. The more I learned, the more comfortable I became when severe weather would break out.

Do you know what to do if you, your family, or your home were being threatened by a tornado?

Normally, a Wyoming tornado isn't as large as you've been seeing on the news in other parts of the country, but they can still cause significant damage. Being severe weather ready is important for the safety of you and your family. We all know that during the winter, you should always be ready for a Wyoming snowstorm; well, the same applies to severe weather in the summer.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has five main tips if a tornado strikes.

• Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
• At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.
• At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
• Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home nor a tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.
• In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to reach a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low-lying area, such as a ditch or ravine.