5. Debris and Litter Everywhere
Debris can be picked up and moved during the moments before a tornado hits. For example, trash cans can fall over and the resulting litter can be strewn about the street.
You may also see dust and small items of litter in the air or blowing past your feet.
This is especially notable in an area that is usually kept clean and free of litter. Small tree branches and lots of leaves may be all over the ground, and you may also see downed trees and other indicators that the wind is getting extremely strong and carrying debris very high into the air.
When you notice debris settling in your yard that you’re fairly certain didn’t come from anywhere nearby, that’s a very strong indicator that you should already be taking cover.
Photo by Stephan Ridgway