Tornado accompanied by quarter-sized hail in Houston County Friday

The National Weather Service issued an updated tornado warning at 4:11 a.m. Friday, in effect until 4:30 a.m. for Houston County.

Quarter-inch hail is expected with the storm’s arrival.

“At 4:11 a.m., a confirmed tornado was located near Cottonwood, moving east at 40 mph,” according to the weather service. “Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught homeless. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Roofs, windows and vehicles will be damaged. Tree damage is likely.”

Locations affected by the warning include Gordon, Saffold, Pansey, Crosby, Grangeburg, Chattahoochee SP, Jakin, Lovetown, Lucy and Avon.

The weather service says: “Again, a tornado is on the ground. Take shelter now! Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows If you are outside, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Tornado Watch and Warnings: Your Safety Guide

When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning can be a matter of life and death. Let’s break it down:

Tornado Watch: Be Prepared!

• A Tornado Watch warns you in advance that conditions are right for a tornado to form.
• This is your cue to review your emergency plans, make sure your supplies are in order, and identify your safe room.
• Although this does not indicate an imminent tornado, it is a warning to be prepared to take quick action if a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.
• Watches come from the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area, potentially covering multiple counties or even states.

Tornado alert: act!

• A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.
• This is the real deal: there is immediate danger to life and property.
• Your response should be quick: seek shelter in an interior room on the ground floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
• If you are in a mobile home, vehicle, or stuck outside, find the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and identify 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 spotters and the police.

Knowing the difference between these two warnings is essential to staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan and act quickly when danger approaches.

Prepare for a tornado

Stay prepared for bad weather:

Keep an eye on the weather forecast to stay informed of tornado risks. Tune into the local news or a NOAA weather radio for updates on tornado watches and warnings.

Sign up for notifications:

Familiarize yourself with your community’s warning systems. Some places have outdoor sirens, while others rely on media and smartphone alerts for notifications of severe storms.

Establish a communications plan:

Create a family emergency plan that includes a designated meeting place and important contact information. If your home does not have a basement, identify a nearby safe building, such as a church or a relative’s house, that you can reach quickly.

Choose a secure shelter:

Choose a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or downstairs interior room without windows.

Establish a communications plan:

Conduct regular family severe thunderstorm drills so everyone knows what to do if there is a tornado threat. Make sure everyone in the family knows a safe place to take shelter, and don’t forget your pets if weather permits.

Secure your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe for added protection. You can find plans for fortifying an interior room on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

Help your neighbor:

Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Get CPR training so you can help if someone is injured.

Tornado Safety: What to Do in Case of a Tornado

When a tornado strikes, it is essential to act quickly to ensure your safety and minimize potential damage. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

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

At home:

• If you are at home and a tornado warning is issued, head to the basement, a designated safe room, or an indoor space away from windows. Remember to keep your pets safe if weather permits.

At work or school:

• Follow your tornado drill and get to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and don’t go into large, open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.

Outside:

• If you are outside and a tornado is approaching, immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. Sheds, warehouses, mobile homes and tents are unsafe. If you have time, head to a secure structure.

In a vehicle:

• It is not safe to be in a vehicle during a tornado. The recommended action is to go to the nearest shelter. If it is not possible to reach safe shelter, crouch in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek shelter in a low area such as a ditch or ravine.

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

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