It’s the time of year when we watch the skies for any signs of a tornado. When we hear the warning sirens, we know we need to find cover, but what if I don’t have a basement?

Tornado Shelters are an afterthought until it’s time to look for one. Here are some lists and maps of area tornado shelters in the panhandle of Nebraska. If you have one to add, please contact us.

Scottsbluff

Baker & Associates 120 E 16th St 632-3123	8-5 M-F
Bluffs Business Center 1517 Broadway	8-5 M-F
Brown’s Shoe Fit 1720 Broadway 632-6665	9-5:30 M-Sa
Connecting Point 1912 Broadway 632-5514	8:30-5:30 M-F
First United Methodist 2002 4th Ave	Evenings
Hairbender 1513 Broadway 632-6616	8-7 M-Th
Independent Plumbing & Heating 1921 Broadway 632-4185	8-5 M-F, 9-12 Sat
Platte Valley Vac & Sew 1804 Broadway 632-3734	9-5:30 M-F, 9:30-4 Sat
Runza 1823 Broadway 632-6771	10-9:30 Daily
Twin Cities Dev 1620 Broadway 632-2833	8-5 M-F
Waterbed Showcase 16th & Broadway 635-7740	9:30-5:30 M-F, 10-5 Sat
Webber’s Furniture 27th & Broadway 632-2811	9-5:30 M-Sa
The Elks Lodge 1614 1st Ave 632-2622	6AM-10PM Wed, 6PM-1AM Sat
The Benefit Partners 1713 1st Ave 436-9314	9-5 M-F

Gering

Calvary Memorial Church 265 18th Street 436-7433	Evenings
Gering Public Library 1055 P St	9-7 M-F, 10-5 Sat
Gering Public Schools Admin 1519 10th St 436-3125	8-4:30 M-Th, 8-4 F
JBC Inc 1502 10th St 635-0455	8-5 M-F
Northfield Church 2105 17th Street	Evenings
Riverstone Bank 1540 10th St 436-5011	8:30-4:30 M-Th, 8:30-4 F
Scotts Bluff County Admin 1825 10th St 632-7176	7:30-4:30 M-F
The Rugged Edge 1955 10th St 436-4411	9-? M-Sat

Henry

Henry Bible Church 1592 Yorick Ave

Anytime

Minatare

Minatare High School NE corner of Gym 783-1733

Morrill

Platte Valley Bank 126 Center Ave
Morrill Public Library 119 E Webster	Anytime
Morrill High School SE Gym Doors to Downstairs Locker Rooms 411 E Hamilton St
First United Methodist Church 207 W Franklin St	Anytime
Morrill Community Baptist Church 519 E Webster St	Anytime

Mitchell

City of Mitchell Offices 1820 Center Ave
New Hope Assembly Church 1460 13th Ave	Anytime
Mitchell Federated Church 1451 Center Ave	Anytime

McGrew

McGrew Community Center 262 E 3rd St

Anytime

Harrisburg

Banner County Courthouse 204 State St	Anytime
Banner County School 200 School St

* Church basements * NOTE: check with a church nearest you to make arrangements (do not assume they will be open).

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This is not an exhaustive list, and we are working with community members to add more locations.

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Here are some definitions and guidelines to follow to help keep you and your family safe from the National Weather Service.

Tornado Watch – issued when conditions are favorable for tornado development. People located in and around the watch area should keep an eye to the sky and listen to their NOAA weather radio all hazards or tune to local broadcast media for further weather information. The watch is intended to give you time to prepare and time to review your safety rules.

Tornado Warning – issued when a developing tornado has been detected by National Weather Service doppler radar or a reliable report of a tornado has been reported. A tornado warning is usually issued for portions of one or two counties, for an hour or less. The storm could also produce large hail and destructive straight line winds. If the tornado warning includes your neighborhood or work place, you should seek safe shelter immediately.

In the event of a tornado, here are some tornado safety rules to keep you and your family safe: 

• In general, get as low as you can. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety. Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. Avoid windows at all cost!
• Tornadoes could be obscured by rainfall or come at nighttime. Do not wait until you see or hear the tornado, it may be too late.
• Do not waste time opening or closing windows and doors. It will not protect the structure. You will only waste time and put yourself and others in greater risk. Use those valuable seconds to find a place of safety.
• In homes or public buildings: go to the basement or a small interior room, such as a closet, bathroom or an interior hall on the lowest level. Close all doors to the hallway for greater protection. If possible, get under something sturdy like a heavy table. Protect yourself from flying debris with pillows, heavy coats, blankets or quilts. Use bicycle or motorcycle helmets to protect your head.
• In mobile homes: leave well in advance of the approaching severe weather and go to a strong building. If there is no shelter nearby, get into the nearest ditch, low spot or underground culvert. Lie flat, covering your head with your hands for protection.
• In vehicles or outdoors: when tornadoes are possible, limit your outdoor plans or finish them early. Stay close to a sturdy shelter. If caught outside, find shelter in a ditch or remain in your vehicle and cover your head for protection. Do not take shelter under a highway overpass, where wind speeds can increase due to a tunneling effect. It is best to not put yourself or others in a situation where no sturdy shelter is available.
• Remember, stay away from doors, windows, outside walls and protect your head!