Update: The tornado warning is expected to end at 4:30 p.m

The warning was for Choctaw County.

“The tornadic thunderstorm that triggered the warning has weakened. It has moved out of the warned area. Therefore, the warning will expire,” the National Weather Service states.

Tornado Watches and Warnings: Your Safety Guide

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

Tornado Watch: Be Prepared!

• A tornado watch serves as an early warning that conditions are conducive to the formation of a tornado.
• It’s your signal to review your emergency plans, make sure your supplies are in order, and identify your safe space.
• While this doesn’t mean a tornado is imminent, it is a warning that you should be prepared to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.
• The watches come from the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area, perhaps spanning multiple 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: move to an indoor area on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
• If you are in an RV, vehicle, or trapped outdoors, find the nearest suitable 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 reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.

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

Prepare for a tornado

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.

Secure 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 your neighbor:

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 weather service guidelines:

Stay informed:

Stay alert and informed by tuning in to local newscasts or using a NOAA weather radio to receive updates on tornado watches and warnings.

At home:

If you are under a tornado warning, immediately seek refuge in your basement, a safe room, or an indoor area without windows. If you have enough time, bring your pets with you.

At work or school:

Follow tornado drill instructions at work or school and move promptly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter. Avoid areas with large, open spaces such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums and stay away from windows.

Outside:

If you are outdoors and a tornado is approaching, immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. Sheds, storage rooms, RVs and tents are not safe. If you have time, get to a safe structure.

In a vehicle:

It is not safe to be in a vehicle during a tornado. The recommended action is to drive to the nearest animal shelter. If it is not possible to reach safe shelter, either get into your car and cover your head, or exit your 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.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.