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A tornado, severe thunderstorm or lightning is coming

Use when there is a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning, lightning is close, or hail and high winds are coming, and someone needs to know where to take cover now.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Take cover now
  2. Lightning: when thunder roars, go indoors
  3. If you live outside or in a tent
  4. Get warnings early
  5. After the storm

1Take cover now

A WARNING means danger is happening or about to happen. Take cover right away. A WATCH means get ready.
Go inside a strong building. Get to the lowest floor, in a small room in the middle with no windows, like a bathroom, closet or hallway.
Get down low and cover your head and neck with your arms, a blanket, a mattress or a helmet.
A car, tent, camper or mobile home is NOT safe in a tornado. Get to a strong building if there is time.
If you are caught outside with no building near: lie flat in a low spot or ditch, away from trees and cars, and cover your head.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7

2Lightning: when thunder roars, go indoors

If you can hear thunder, lightning can reach you. Go inside a building or a hard-top car with the windows up.
Stay away from trees, hilltops, open fields, water and metal fences.
Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back outside.
If someone is struck by lightning, it is safe to touch them. Call 911. If they are not breathing, start CPR.
If someone collapses and is not breathing, use the guide "Someone collapsed, isn't breathing, or won't wake up".

3If you live outside or in a tent

You can ask"Where can you get inside when a storm comes?"
At the Gospel MissionCome inside the Mission at 111 S. Texas St. during open hours (weekdays, breakfast 8:30-9:30, lunch 12-1).
Go inside any open public building, like a store, the library or a church, until the storm passes.

4Get warnings early

Grant County - TextMyGov alerts
Free text-message emergency alerts for Grant County
575-574-4607
Silver City · 24/7
Website ↗
National Weather Service - El Paso/Santa Teresa office
Weather forecasts and warnings for the Gila region
7955 Airport Rd, Santa Teresa · Online 24/7
Website ↗

5After the storm

Stay away from downed power lines. Always treat them as live.
PNM
Report a power outage or downed power line
1-888-342-5766
· 24/7
Website ↗
If someone lost their home or things, use the guide "Lost their home or belongings in a fire, flood or disaster".
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
24/7 crisis counseling after disasters
1-800-985-5990
· 24/7
Website ↗

More help like this

No heat, or it's dangerously cold or hotUse when someone has no heat at home, is outside in freezing weather or extreme heat, or can't pay for heating.Lost their home or belongings in a fire, flood or disasterUse after a house fire, flood, storm or evacuation when someone has lost their home, clothes or papers.Stuck outside in freezing cold or snow (hypothermia or frostbite)Use when someone is outside or stranded in freezing weather or a snowstorm, is shivering hard, confused or very sleepy from cold, or has numb, white or gray skin.Someone is sleeping outside in dangerous cold or heatUse when you see someone sleeping or staying outside during freezing nights, snow, or extreme heat, and you are worried they may get sick or die.A fire is burning in a home, building or camp right nowUse when a fire has started in a home, apartment, building, car, tent or camp and people need to get out and stay safe.Smells gas, or a carbon monoxide alarm is going offUse when someone smells gas (rotten eggs), hears hissing from a gas line, or a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, or people feel sick from a heater, stove or generator.

See all guides in Emergency and first aid →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.