Tornado Watch for West Georgia through Sunday morning

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 1:54 a.m. Sunday that was in effect until 9 a.m. The watch applies to Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Carroll, Chattahoochee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Glascock, Greene, Gwinnett, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walton, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes and Wilkinson counties.

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning: Know the Difference

When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning can be vital. Let’s break it down:

Tornado Watch: Be Prepared!

• A tornado watch is your advance warning that conditions are ripe for a tornado to form.
• It’s your signal to review your emergency plans, make sure your supplies are in order, and identify your safe space.
• Although this is not an indication of an imminent tornado, it is a warning to be prepared to take action quickly if a tornado warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.
• Tornado watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a wide area, possibly several counties or even states.

Tornado Warning: Take Action!

• A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or detected by weather radar.
• This is the reality: there is imminent danger to life and property.
• Your response should be quick: seek shelter indoors on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
• If you are in an RV, vehicle, or trapped outdoors, find the nearest safe shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and pinpoint a much smaller area, usually the size of a city or small county, where a tornado has been identified either by radar or by trained observers and law enforcement.

To stay safe during tornado season, it is paramount to know the difference between these two warnings. Stay informed, have a plan and act immediately if danger threatens.

Be prepared for tornadoes

Be weatherproof:

Keep an eye on the weather forecast to stay informed about tornado risks. Listen to local news or NOAA weather radio for updates on tornado watches and warnings

Sign up for alerts:

Learn how your community sends alerts. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others rely on media and smartphones to warn residents of severe storms that can trigger tornadoes.

Create a communication plan:

Create a family emergency plan that includes a specific meeting location and important contact information. If your home doesn’t have a basement, look for a safe building nearby, such as a basement. B. a church or a relative’s house that you can quickly reach.

Choose a safe shelter:

Choose a safe room in your home, such as: B. a basement, a storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor without windows.

Create a communication plan:

Conduct regular family drills for severe thunderstorms so everyone knows what to do if a tornado threat arises. Make sure all family members know the safe place to seek shelter and don’t forget your pets if time permits.

Prepare your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe space. The Federal Emergency Management Agency website has plans for reinforcing an interior space to provide better protection.

Help with:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornadoes. Consider taking CPR training to help with injuries.

Tornado Safety: What to do if the tornado hits?

When a tornado strikes, acting quickly is critical to ensure your safety and minimize potential damage. Follow these guidelines from the NWS:

Stay informed:

Stay alert and stay informed by listening to local newscasts or NOAA weather radio for tornado watches and warnings.

At home:

If you are under a tornado warning at home, go to your basement, a designated safe room, or an indoor area away from windows. Keep your pets safe when time permits.

At work or school:

If you are at your workplace or school, follow tornado drill procedures. Move quickly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter, avoiding large open areas such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums, and staying away from windows.

Outside:

If a tornado is on the way, immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. Sheds, storage rooms, RVs and tents are not safe places.

In a vehicle:

Sitting in a vehicle during a tornado is extremely unsafe. The best thing to do is drive to the nearest animal shelter. If it is not possible to reach shelter, either stay in your car and cover your head, or exit the vehicle and seek refuge in a lower area such as a ditch or ravine.

Remember that if a tornado is imminent, acting quickly and following safety protocols are critical to your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service