Tornado Preparedness for Seniors, Caregivers, and Families in Tornado Alley

May is an important month to review your tornado preparedness plan, especially for families and caregivers in states like Missouri and Oklahoma. NOAA reports that May ranks as the month with the highest number of tornado occurrences across the United States, and the National Severe Storms Laboratory notes that tornado risk often shifts toward the southern and central Plains in May and June.

For older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, staff, and families, tornado preparedness is not just about knowing severe weather may happen. It is about knowing exactly what to do when a warning is issued.

Gray Matters Alliance helps families and care teams prepare before severe weather arrives by making emergency planning easier to practice, follow, and support with the right technology.

What is the safest place to go during a tornado?

The safest place during a tornado is usually the interior part of a basement. If there is no basement, move to an inside room without windows on the lowest floor of the building. A bathroom, closet, center hallway, storm shelter, or designated safe room may be the best option depending on the home or facility. The National Weather Service recommends getting as low as possible, putting as many walls between you and the outside as possible, and avoiding windows.

The key is to decide on that location before there is a tornado warning.

Why should families and caregivers practice tornado preparedness?

Emergencies can cause people to freeze, panic, or forget what to do. Practicing a tornado plan helps reduce fear because the steps become familiar.

A simple tornado drill should answer these questions:

• Where do we go?

• Who helps each person get there?

• What devices, medications, hearing aids, glasses, chargers, or mobility supports need to come with us?

• How will everyone receive the warning?

• What happens if WiFi or power goes out?

  
  

GMA encourages families, caregivers, staff, and therapists to practice, practice, practice. Participating in local monthly siren tests can also help make the routine feel familiar before a real emergency.

How can technology help with tornado preparedness?

Technology can make tornado preparedness easier, especially when a person needs reminders, accessible alerts, or step-by-step support.

GMA can help with:

Device-Based Tutorials

Families and caregivers can practice using digital tools before an emergency happens. This helps reduce confusion when time matters.

MyCompass Scheduler

MyCompass can be used to schedule tornado drills for families, staff, therapists, or care teams. Step-by-step reminders can help everyone know what to do and when to do it.

Active Threat Alerts

GMA tablets are geo-tagged to the user’s zip code and can provide push notifications when severe weather warnings are issued.

Accessible Alert Options

For individuals with hearing loss, GMA can recommend alerting tools such as flashing lamps, bed shakers, and smartwatches with haptic feedback. These tools help make sure warnings are received quickly, even during sleep or when sirens are difficult to hear.

WiFi and Cellular Connectivity

Every GMA MyCompass tablet includes built-in WiFi and cellular capability. If WiFi drops, the tablet can automatically switch to cellular service to help maintain connectivity.

Battery Backup Planning

Storms can cause power outages. GMA recommends battery backup options for essential devices so alerts, tablets, routers, and communication tools stay powered as long as possible.

Tornado Preparedness Checklist for Seniors and Caregivers

Use this checklist before severe weather is in the forecast:

• Choose the safest shelter location in the home or building.

• Practice getting to that location before a warning is issued.

• Set up weather alerts on phones, tablets, smartwatches, or alerting devices.

• Make sure people with hearing loss have accessible alert options.

• Keep shoes, flashlights, glasses, hearing aids, medication, and chargers easy to reach.

• Have a battery backup for key devices.

• Make sure caregivers, staff, family members, and therapists know the plan.

• Review the plan during monthly siren tests.

• Update the plan if mobility, health, staffing, or living arrangements change.

  
  

Why does this matter during Older Americans Month?

May is Older Americans Month, which is a good reminder to review safety, independence, and wellness plans for older adults. Emergency preparedness is part of staying safe and supported at home, in care settings, and in the community.

For many families, the goal is simple: make the plan easier to follow before there is stress, fear, or severe weather.

GMA Can Help You Prepare Before the Storm

Gray Matters Alliance helps families, caregivers, staff, and individuals create practical preparedness plans using technology, tutorials, alerts, scheduling tools, and accessible devices.

If you are unsure whether your current devices will work during a storm, or if you need help setting up alerts, battery backup, or accessibility tools, contact GMA for recommendations.

Preparedness works best when it is simple, practiced, and supported.

Upcoming Events

GMA will be showcasing a variety of assistive and enabling technology for attendees to explore and try firsthand.

JUNE EVENTS

Gray Matters Alliance will be attending the Case Manager Regional Training and Tech Fest in Oklahoma this June.

Event Dates & Locations:

June 2, 2026

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

June 4, 2026

Tulsa, Oklahoma

We look forward to connecting with case managers, caregivers, and professionals who support independence through assistive technology.