Tornado Watch vs. Warning: How to Stay Safe During Severe Weather

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes in a specific area. It's a call to be prepared and monitor for updates.

A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, posing an imminent threat to life and property. Immediate action is required.

Preparation is key:: Have an emergency plan, including a safe shelter, supplies for at least three days, and multiple ways to receive alerts.

If you're in a car during a tornado warning:: Avoid highway overpasses. Experts recommend staying in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and head below the windows, or seeking a low-lying area away from the car.

Stay informed by monitoring weather updates from reliable sources like the National Weather Service and local news.

Review and discuss your emergency plan with family members.

Check your emergency supplies, including food, water, and a first-aid kit.

Identify a safe room or shelter in your home or nearby building.

Seek shelter immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.

If you're in a car, do not seek shelter under a highway overpass. Instead, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and your head below the windows, or find a low-lying area away from the car.

Protect yourself from debris by wearing a helmet and covering your body with blankets, pillows, or a mattress.

Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a plan that includes a designated safe shelter, evacuation routes, and communication strategies.

Gather Supplies: Assemble a disaster kit with enough food, water, and essential supplies to last at least three days.

Stay Informed: Sign up for local alerts and monitor weather updates from reliable sources.

A:: A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes, while a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.

A:: The safest place is an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.

A:: No, highway overpasses can be dangerous during a tornado due to flying debris and increased wind speeds.

Understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

Have an emergency plan and a well-stocked disaster kit.

Stay informed about weather conditions and heed warnings from authorities.

Know the safest places to seek shelter during a tornado.