?Do you know what you should never do during a tornado?
Introduction
You will read clear rules about what you must never do during a tornado. You will also learn what to do instead. You will get help ideas for making an insurance claim in Florida. You will learn why Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals can help you after a tornado.
You live in Florida. Tornadoes can form fast in Florida. You must act fast and smart. You must protect your life first. You must protect your home when it is safe to do so.
Why these rules matter
A tornado can move debris fast. The wind can break glass and toss cars. Your body can get injured by flying objects. Your house can get damaged quickly. You will need clear steps to stay safe and to make an insurance claim later.
You will find simple advice. You will find insurance tips for Florida claims. You will find phone and address info for Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals. Call them if you need help after a tornado.
Never ignore a tornado warning
You must not ignore warnings from weather services. A warning means a tornado could hit now. You must move to safety when you hear or see a warning. You must not wait until the last minute.
If you hear a siren, you must go inside. If you see a funnel cloud, you must get to shelter. You must not treat the warning like a rumor. Take the warning seriously.
Never stay in a mobile home or trailer
You should not stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Mobile homes can lift or flip easily. You must go to a safe building or a storm shelter instead.
If you cannot reach a safe building, you must go to a low spot away from the mobile home. Lie flat and cover your head with your arms. You must not try to stay in that trailer and hope for the best.
Never shelter under a highway overpass
You must not hide under an overpass. Wind can speed up under the overpass. Debris can hit you from the sides. Overpasses can create a wind tunnel that makes things worse.
You must find a low, sturdy shelter instead. You must stay away from cars on the road. You must not use an overpass to hide.
Never try to outrun a tornado in a car
You must not try to drive faster than a tornado. Tornado paths can change quickly. Traffic can block your way. You must not risk your life to drive away.
If you are in a car, you must pull over and find a low spot off the road. You must keep your seat belt on. You must not stay in the car if the storm is very close. If you can reach a sturdy building quickly, go inside.
Never stand near windows or doors
You must not stand near windows or glass doors. Wind and debris can break glass and send shards into your home. You must move to an interior room instead.
Pick a small room with no windows. You must stay there until the storm ends. You must not watch the tornado from a window.
Never go outside to take videos or photos
You must not go outside to film the tornado. You will not be safe. A gust of wind can throw objects at you. You must protect your life instead of your phone.
If you want to record, do it from a safe place. You must not risk your life for a shot.
Never use elevators
You must not use elevators during a tornado. Power can fail. You might get stuck. You must take the stairs and go to a safe room on the lowest floor.
If the building has a basement, you must go there. You must not stay in the elevator.
Never shelter under trees
You must not shelter under trees. Trees can break and fall. Branches can strike you. You must find a low, open place or a sturdy building.
If you cannot reach a building, you must lie flat in a ditch and cover your head. You must not hide under a tree.
Never open windows to “equalize” pressure
You must not open your windows during a tornado. Opening windows does not help. It can let debris inside and hurt people. You must keep windows closed and go to an interior room.
Your house will not blow apart because of opened windows. The wind and debris do the damage. You must focus on shelter, not on windows.
Never take shelter in a gym or large roofed structure
You must not shelter in a gym or a building with a wide, unsupported roof. Roofs like this can collapse. You must go to a small interior room, a stairwell, or a basement.
A wide roof can fold like a lid. You must not rely on a large open space for safety.
Never ignore your pets
You must not leave pets behind. Pets cannot understand a warning. You must bring pets to your safe room. You must keep them in carriers or on leashes if you can.
Pets may be scared. You must comfort them with calm hands and a quiet voice. You must not forget to feed them after the storm if food is safe.
Never touch downed power lines or standing water near them
You must not touch downed power lines. You must not touch anything that could be charged. Water can carry electricity. You must stay away and call for help.
If you see wires on the ground, you must tell an adult or call emergency services. You must not try to move the wires yourself.
Never re-enter a damaged building until officials say it is safe
You must not go back into a damaged home until the authorities or a building inspector say it is safe. The building might collapse. Gas lines might leak. You must wait for a safe green light.
If you go inside too soon, you can get hurt. You must not move your own furniture if the building seems unstable.
Never throw away damaged items before you document them
You must not throw away damaged items before you document them for your insurance claim. Your insurance company and a public adjuster need to see what broke. You must take photos and videos of damage.
If an item is dangerous, you must make it safe first. Then photograph it. You must not let clean-up crews remove everything before you document the damage.
Never sign a contract or a waiver without reading it
You must not sign any contract or waiver without reading it carefully. Some contractors will ask you to sign a paper right away. You must take time to read and understand the terms.
If you do not understand, ask a trusted adult or call a public adjuster like Otero. You must not sign away your rights for a quick payment.
Never accept cash-only payments without proof
You must not accept a cash-only deal from a contractor without a receipt and a clear contract. Cash deals can hide fraud. You must get everything in writing.
If a contractor asks for all the money up front, you must be cautious. You must not give a large payment before work starts.
Never delay making an insurance claim
You must not wait too long to file a claim. Insurance companies have time limits. You must report damage quickly. You must keep copies of your claim paperwork.
If you wait, you can lose coverage. You must not delay calling your insurer and a public adjuster.
Never agree to a quick, low, or final settlement without checking
You must not accept a low offer from your insurance company without checking it. Insurance companies can offer less than your damage cost. You must have a public adjuster review the offer.
Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals can help in Florida. Otero will inspect your damage for free. Otero only gets paid when you get paid.
Never fail to get multiple repair estimates
You must not accept a single repair quote without checking others. You must get multiple estimates to know the real repair cost. You must not pick the cheapest or the first one without checking.
A public adjuster can help you estimate the total loss. You must call Otero to help you gather proper costs.
Things you must never do — quick list
You must not:
- Stay in a mobile home.
- Hide under an overpass.
- Try to outrun a tornado in your car.
- Stand near windows.
- Go outside for pictures.
- Use elevators.
- Shelter under trees.
- Open windows to “equalize” pressure.
- Take shelter in a gym with a wide roof.
- Leave pets behind.
- Touch downed power lines or water near them.
- Re-enter a damaged building too soon.
- Throw away damaged items before documentation.
- Sign contracts without reading.
- Accept cash-only contractors without proof.
- Delay your insurance claim.
- Accept a low settlement without review.
Table: What not to do and what to do instead
| What not to do | Why not to do it | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Stay in a mobile home | Mobile homes can lift or flip | Go to a nearby building or shelter |
| Hide under an overpass | Overpass can act like a wind tunnel | Find a low shelter or sturdy building |
| Outrun tornado in a car | Tornado path can change fast | Park, buckle up, find a low spot or building |
| Stand by windows | Glass can shatter | Go to an interior room with no windows |
| Go outside to film | Debris can hit you | Record from inside a safe room |
| Use elevator | Power can fail and trap you | Take stairs and find lowest safe room |
| Shelter under trees | Branches can fall | Lie flat in a ditch if no building is near |
| Open windows | It lets debris in | Keep windows closed and find shelter |
| Re-enter damaged house | Building may collapse | Wait for officials to clear the area |
| Throw away damaged items | You may lose evidence | Photograph and keep items for claims |
| Sign contract fast | You may give up rights | Read, ask questions, get help from a public adjuster |
How to protect your home during a tornado if you get time
You must not waste time on big chores. You can do small, quick things that help. You must keep possessions safe when you can.
- Close doors between rooms. This helps slow wind from moving through the house.
- Turn off gas only if you smell gas. You must not do this unless you know how.
- Bring patio furniture inside if time allows. Loose objects can become dangerous.
- Move important papers and devices to a high spot or a sturdy box.
You must not stay outside for these tasks if the warning says to shelter now.
What to do in a classroom or school
You must not stay near windows at school. Teachers will tell you where to go. You must go to an interior hallway or a small room.
You must get on the floor and cover your head. School drills help. You must listen to the teacher and follow their directions.
How to help children feel safe
You must not lie to a child about danger. You must speak in calm, simple words. You must tell them where you will go and what you will do.
You must let a child hold a small toy or blanket for comfort. You must not send children to a shelter alone.
After the tornado: what not to do
You must not ignore injuries. You must not leave people who need help alone. Call emergency services for medical aid.
You must not enter a damaged building until officials say it is safe. You must not touch or move large debris unless trained.
You must not let strangers into your damaged home. You must not agree to any repairs without a clear, written plan.
Insurance-specific things you must never do
You must not say things that hurt your claim. You must not guess at the cost of damage. You must not admit blame that is not yours.
Do not sign a release that ends your rights to more money. Do not let a contractor pressure you to accept a quick check. Keep your evidence until adjusters see it.
You must not start major repairs that hide the damage before you take pictures. You must not let anyone remove debris before you document the damage.
Why a public adjuster helps you
A public adjuster works for you. A public adjuster writes and presents your claim to the insurance company. The adjuster looks at the damage and talks to the insurer for you.
You must not handle a big claim alone if you feel lost. You must call a public adjuster to get help. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals works across Florida. Otero will inspect your home for free. Otero only gets paid when you get paid.
How Otero can help after a tornado
Otero visits your home and checks the damage. Otero takes photos and makes a list of losses. Otero writes the claim and sends it to your insurer. Otero argues for the full amount you deserve.
You must not sign away your rights to a fair payment. Otero will explain your policy and your coverage. Otero helps with roof damage, wind damage, water damage from roof leaks, and other issues that come with tornadoes.
Free inspection: what that means
Otero offers a free initial inspection. This inspection has no cost and no obligation. You must not pay to have your damage checked first.
Otero will tell you what to do next. You must not accept a bad deal without talking to an expert.
What to bring to an inspection
You must bring ID and your insurance policy info if you can. You must have a list of damaged items and any photos you took. You must keep receipts for emergency repairs.
If you do not have these items, Otero can still help. You must not wait to call if you cannot find paperwork.
What to expect when you call Otero
You must not expect a one-size-fits-all answer. Otero will look at your home and the damage. Otero will explain the steps to file a claim.
You must not pay Otero unless you get paid by your insurer. Otero works only in Florida and will travel to your area.
Contact Otero:
- Address: 3105 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL 32526
- Phone: (850) 285-0405
- Website: https://oteroadjusting.com/
How to protect your claim evidence
You must not delete photos or throw away damaged items. You must take many photos from many angles. You must save receipts for temporary repairs and living expenses.
If you must make a repair to stay safe, you must save receipts and take before and after photos. You must not forget to write down the names and numbers of any contractors.
Never let a contractor pressure you
After a tornado, many contractors will knock on your door. You must not sign with the first contractor who offers help. You must ask for references and a written contract.
You must not pay the whole amount up front. You must not let a contractor tell you not to call your insurer or a public adjuster.
Never assume your insurance covers everything
You must not assume that all damage is covered. You must read your policy or ask for help. Different policies cover different things.
If you do not understand, you must call a public adjuster. You must not trust a contractor or adjuster who says you are not covered without proof.
How to report theft or fraud after a tornado
You must not ignore suspicious people who take advantage of damage. You must call the police if theft happens. You must keep names and license numbers for every contractor.
You must not sign a contract with someone who does not have a local address or license. You must not pay with cash only.
When to call emergency services
You must call 911 for life-threatening injuries. You must call the police for theft or criminal acts. You must call the power company for downed wires.
You must not delay calling if you need help right away.
Simple children’s guide: what you must not do during a tornado
You must not:
- Stand by windows.
- Hide under a carport.
- Run outside to look.
- Stay in a mobile home.
- Go to a large gym.
You must:
- Go to a small inside room.
- Get on the floor and cover your head.
- Take your pet and a small toy if you can.
- Stay quiet and listen to the adult.
FAQ: common questions kids or parents ask
Q: Can I drive to my friend’s house to wait out the storm?
A: No. You must not drive in a tornado warning. You must stay where you can get safe fast.
Q: Is it safe to hide in a bathroom?
A: Yes, if the bathroom has no windows and is on a low floor. You must still cover your head.
Q: Should I open the windows?
A: No. You must not open windows. Keep them closed and find an interior room.
Q: What do I do if I get lost from my family?
A: You must stay where you are and tell a teacher, a police officer, or a rescue worker. You must not wander.
Checklist to keep in your home for tornado season
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Battery radio
- First aid kit
- Copies of important documents in a sealed bag
- Extra water and snack foods
- Blankets and a change of clothes
- Phone numbers for family, emergency services, and Otero
You must not forget to update the kit each season.
Final checklist of things you must never do
- Do not ignore a warning.
- Do not stay in a mobile home.
- Do not hide under an overpass.
- Do not use your car to outrun the storm.
- Do not stand near windows.
- Do not go outside to film.
- Do not use elevators.
- Do not shelter under trees.
- Do not open windows.
- Do not enter a damaged building too soon.
- Do not throw away items before documenting.
- Do not sign contracts without reading.
- Do not accept large upfront cash payments.
- Do not delay filing an insurance claim.
Closing note and how Otero helps in Florida
You must protect your life first. You must protect your property second. If a tornado damages your home, you must act fast with safety and with claims. You must call Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals for help. Otero will inspect for free. Otero will fight for the payment you deserve. Otero works across Florida and speaks your language about claims.
Contact Otero:
3105 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL 32526
(850) 285-0405
https://oteroadjusting.com/
You must not face a tornado claim alone. You must call for help and follow the safety rules. Stay safe, keep calm, and protect your home the right way.
