During hurricane season, South Florida residents aren’t just bracing for high winds and flooding  — they’re also preparing for something that many folks aren’t familiar with: tornadoes.

Last year, Hurricanes Helene and Milton left a lasting impact, displacing families in several southeast states, catching many residents off guard. 

South Florida saw significant tornado damage. 

The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips:

• Know the difference! A tornado WATCH means tornadoes are possible in and near your area - be ready to act fast! A tornado WARNING means take action, a tornado is near - move to safe location right away.
• Find a safe room built to withstand high winds. Ideally, a small room with no windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) are not safe in high wind events.
• Practice tornado drills with your entire household where you all practice moving quickly to the safe locations that you identified.
• Gather food, water, medicine, flashlights, a radio, batteries, chargers and important documents. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home-Kit.
• Plan to monitor local weather and news, sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.