May 15, 2026
Mr. Bell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To improve tornado detection, forecasting, warning dissemination, and community resilience, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Tornado Preparedness Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Tornadoes and severe storms pose a persistent and growing threat to communities across the United States, particularly in high-risk regions such as the Midwest and Southeast.
(2)
In May 2025, a tornado in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan region resulted in significant damage and exposed critical failures in local emergency warning systems, including failures in siren activation and delays in public notification.
(3)
A subsequent public report on the May 2025 St. Louis tornado identified breakdowns in emergency management coordination, unclear lines of authority for alert activation, and insufficient redundancy in warning systems.
(4)
Recent tornado events across the United States have resulted in loss of life, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and long-term economic disruption.
(5)
Advances in forecasting and detection technologies have improved warning capabilities, but gaps remain in providing timely, localized, and actionable alerts to the public.
(6)
Many communities, including low-income and underserved areas, lack adequate access to storm shelters, resilient infrastructure, and reliable warning systems.
(7)
Improving coordination between Federal, State, and local agencies is critical to ensuring effective tornado preparedness, warning dissemination, and response.
Sec. 3. National tornado detection and warning improvement plan
(a) In general
The Administrator of NOAA, in coordination with the Administrator of FEMA, shall establish a program to improve tornado detection, forecasting, and warning capabilities.
(b) Program elements
The program established under subsection (a) shall include—
(1)
investment in next-generation radar, satellite, and sensor technologies;
(2)
development of advanced forecasting models, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning;
(3)
expansion of localized, impact-based warning systems;
(4)
improvements to warning systems; and
(5)
integration of Federal forecasting capabilities into State and local emergency management systems.
Sec. 4. Community tornado resilience grant program
(a) Establishment
The Administrator of FEMA shall establish a program to award grants to State and local emergency management agencies to support tornado preparedness and resilience in high-risk areas.
(b) Eligible uses
Grants awarded under this section may be used for—
(1)
construction or retrofitting of community storm shelters, including shelters located in schools, mobile home communities, and other high-risk locations;
(2)
installation or modernization of warning systems;
(3)
deployment of backup power for warning systems;
(4)
development of local emergency preparedness plans and public education initiatives; and
(5)
other projects determined appropriate by the Administrator to enhance tornado resilience.
(c) Priority
In awarding grants under this section, the Administrator shall prioritize—
(1)
communities with high tornado risk;
(2)
underserved and low-income communities; and
(3)
communities with limited access to existing warning systems or shelters.
Sec. 5. Interagency coordination
The Administrator of NOAA and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall coordinate with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to improve tornado preparedness and response, including by—
(1)
data sharing and integration of forecasting systems;
(2)
joint planning for emergency response; and
(3)
support for public education and outreach campaigns.
Sec. 6. Report to Congress
(a) In general
Upon implementation of this Act, the Administrator of NOAA, in coordination with the Administrator of FEMA, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on such implementation.
(b) Contents
The report required under subsection (a) shall include a description of—
(1)
any improvements in tornado detection and forecasting capabilities;
(2)
the status of upgrades to warning systems;
(3)
grants awarded under section 4, and how such grants have been used to support tornado preparedness and resilience;
(4)
any remaining gaps in tornado preparedness and resilience; and
(5)
any recommendations for further legislative or administrative action.
Sec. 7. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees
The term appropriate congressional committees
means—
(A)
the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(B)
the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) FEMA
The term FEMA
means the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(3) High-risk area
The term high-risk area
means a geographic area identified by the Administrator, in coordination with NOAA, as having a high frequency or elevated risk of tornado activity.
(4) NOAA
The term NOAA
means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.