FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — One of the deadliest parts of severe weather season are tornadoes.

A tornado is a violently counterclockwise rotating column of air that comes down from a thunderstorm and touches the ground.

Typically they only last for a few minutes, but they can last for an hour or more and travel several miles, leaving damage in its wake.

According to the National Weather Service, about 1200 tornadoes occur each year in the United States.

RELATED: NWS Honolulu issued first tornado warning in 11 years

Here's something you don't see everyday, or in this case, more than 11 years.

The tornado warning just issued by @NWSHonolulu is the first to come out of their office since December 15, 2008 pic.twitter.com/WfXD5kcTgh

— Greg Diamond (@gdimeweather) March 17, 2020

Their peak season is from April to June.

Most of them happen in the central U.S., which is why it has been nicknamed Tornado Alley.

It's very important to create a plan before severe weather occurs, so you know what to do.

When a tornado warning is issued, that means a tornado has been spotted and is on ground.

You must get to your safe place immediately.

The best place to be is in the most interior room of your home.

You must get away from all windows because the glass will shatter.

A basement is the best place to seek shelter from a tornado in.

If you don't have a basement, an interior bathroom and closet are also good places to go until the tornado passes.

If you live in a mobile home, you need to seek shelter in a permanent structure.

A mobile home is not safe.

This toppled trailer is just one example of the wreckage caused by yesterday’s tornado in Morgantown. I’ll have much more from the scene on Action News this evening. pic.twitter.com/uKJ6T10DdN

— Walter Perez (@WalterPerez6abc) May 29, 2019

But what happens if you're in the car?

You need to seek shelter in a permanent structure or get as low to the ground as you can in a ditch.

You should never try to outrun a tornado or hide under a bridge or overpass because it could collapse.

If you want more forecast information, head over to our weather page.