Tornado warning issued for northern Alabama early Wednesday evening – search for shelter safely

On Wednesday at 3:21 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning in force until 4 p.m. for the counties of Jackson, Madison and Marshall.

“At 3:20 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Grant, or 13 miles north of Guntersville, moving north to 20 mi / h”, adds the meteorological service. “Flying debris will be dangerous for those captured without shelter. Mobile houses will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Trees damage is likely.”

The tornado should possibly affect the following locations:

• Woodville around 3:25 p.m.
• Give around 3.30 p.m.

The other locations affected by this tornado storm include Lim Rock and Larkinsville.

Recommended action: Find a shelter

The meteorological service stipulates: “Cover now! Move in a basement or an indoor room at the lowest background of a robust building. Avoid windows. If you are outside, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, go to the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.”

Tornado Watch vs Tornado Warning: Know the difference

Regarding tornadoes, understanding the distinction between a tornado watch and a tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Here is a ventilation:

Tornado Watch: Be ready!

• A tornado watch serves as an early alert that conditions are conducive to tornado formation.
• This is your signal to examine and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies and locate your security room.
• Although it does not indicate an imminent tornado, it is a warning to be ready to take fast measures if a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect that a tornado is approaching.
• Tornado watches are issued by the Storm prediction center and often encompass a large area, potentially covering several counties or even states.

Tornado warning: Act!

• A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or detected by the meteorological radar.
• This is the real deal – there is an immediate threat to life and goods.
• Your answer should be quick: look for an shelter in an inner room on the lowest floor of a robust building, far from the windows.
• If you are in a mobile house, a vehicle or you are caught outside, look for the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Warnings are issued by your local forecasting office and identify a much smaller area, generally the size of a city or a small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or by reports of qualified observers and the application of the law.

Knowing the distinction between these two alerts is essential to stay safe during the tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan and act quickly when the danger is looming.

Prepare for tornadoes

Stay ready for the weather:

Regularly check the forecasts to see if you are at risk of tornadoes. Listen to the local news or a meteorological radio from the NOAA to stay informed of the watches and tornado warnings.

Register for notifications:

Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on the media and smartphones to alert residents of serious storms capable of producing tornadoes.

Create a communication plan:

Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. If you live in a mobile house or a house without basement, identify a safe building nearby, you can get quickly, like a church or a family member.

Choose a secure shelter:

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

Establish a communication plan:

Perform regular family exercises for serious thunderstorms so that everyone knows what to do when a threat of tornado occurs. Make sure that all family members are aware of the safe location to find a shelter and do not forget your pets if time allows.

Secure your home:

Consider strengthening your security room for additional protection. You can find plans to strengthen an interior room on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Help your neighbor:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for any tornadoes. Remember to undergo RCR training to be useful in the event of injury.

What to do when a tornado knocks

When a tornado strikes, taking rapid measures is crucial to ensure your safety and minimize potential damage. Follow these meteorological service guidelines:

Stay informed:

Stay vigilant and stay informed by connecting to the emissions of local news or using a NOAA meteorological radio to receive updates on the watches and tornado warnings.

At home:

If you are under a tornado warning, look for refuge immediately in your basement, your safe room or a windowless indoor room. If there is enough time, bring your animals with you.

At work or at school:

If you are at your workplace or school, get involved in tornado forest procedures. Move quickly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter, avoiding large open areas such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums, and avoid windows.

Outdoor:

If a tornado is on the way, look for a shelter in a solid building immediately. Hangars, storage facilities, mobile houses and tents are not safe places.

In a vehicle:

Being inside a vehicle during a tornado is very dangerous. Your best action plan is to go to the nearest refuge. If you reach a shelter is not possible, stay inside your car while covering your head or abandon the vehicle and look for safety in a low-Pont zone like a ditch or a ravine.

Remember that IGUS quickly and following safety protocols is essential for your well-being when a tornado is imminent.