A severe weather/tornado outbreak is headed toward our area early Sunday morning with a risk for potentially strong tornadoes in the western half of the Upstate into Georgia. Here is a guide on how you and your family can stay best prepared if the worst were to happen.Understanding tornado terminologyThe National Weather Service has three different alerts that you should watch out for and know the difference between.Tornado WatchA tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. The NWS said a tornado watch is usually issued for a duration of four to eight hours. It’s usually issued well in advance of the actual occurrence or severe weather.If a tornado watch is issued, you should review and discuss your emergency plans, take inventory of your supplies and check your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.Tornado WarningA tornado warning is issued when a tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by weather spotters. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, you should immediately seek shelter. A tornado warning can also be issued without a tornado watch being already in effect. Tornado warnings are usually issued for a duration of about 30 minutes.If a tornado warning is issued, you should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.Tornado EmergencyA tornado emergency is the National Weather Service’s highest alert level. It is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. This indicates a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed. If a tornado emergency is issued, you should immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible. Call friends and family who are within the watch area to ensure they are aware of the situation. If you see a tornado approaching, do not attempt to outrun it in a vehicle; shelter in place. Once safe, monitor your local forecast for the latest updates.How do I prepare for a tornado?There are several practices you can follow in preparation for the possibility of a tornado. Be Weather-ReadyCheck your local forecast regularly to see if you are at risk for tornadoes. In the case of a tornado warning, WYFF News 4 will be live on air and on the app to keep you informed with the latest updates.You can also watch our latest forecast on YouTube. To subscribe to our channel, click here.Sign Up for NotificationsSigning up for notifications on our app is the quickest way to stay prepared and informed.For a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for notifications, click here.Create a PlanEnsure you have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and evacuation route. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get to quickly, such as a church or family member.Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. For more information on how to create an emergency plan, click here.Practice Your PlanNow that you have created an emergency plan, practice it. Conduct a drill regularly, so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. What to do during a tornadoNow that you are prepared for a tornado, here is what you should if a tornado touches down in your area.If a tornado appears to stay in the same place, growing larger, but not moving right or left, it is headed toward you. In this event, you should take shelter immediately. Stay InformedContinue to monitor your local forecast to know when and where a tornado is going to strike. WYFF News 4 will be live on air and on the app during a tornado warning.Sign up for notifications in case a tornado warning is issued prior to a tornado watch.For a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for notifications in our app, click here.At HomeIf a tornado warning is issued while you are at home, get to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don’t forget to grab your pets! If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get to quickly, such as a church or family member.At Work or SchoolFollow your tornado drill and go to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.OutsideSeek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.In a VehicleBeing in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, new safety guidelines say you should get down in your car and cover your head rather than find shelter in a ditch.What should I do after a tornado?Stay InformedDuring severe weather outbreaks, multiple rounds of thunderstorms can be capable of producing tornadoes. So, continue to monitor your local forecast to know if another tornado is possible. WYFF News 4 will be live on air and on the app during a tornado warning.Signing up for notifications is the quickest way to stay informed.For a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for notifications in our app, click here.Contact Your Relatives and Loved OnesLet your family and close friends know that you’re okay. The National Weather Service says text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.Assess the DamageAfter the threat for tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see downed power lines. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.Help Your NeighborsIf you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until first responders arrive.
A severe weather/tornado outbreak is headed toward our area early Sunday morning with a risk for potentially strong tornadoes in the western half of the Upstate into Georgia. Here is a guide on how you and your family can stay best prepared if the worst were to happen.
Understanding tornado terminology
The National Weather Service has three different alerts that you should watch out for and know the difference between.
Tornado Watch
A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. The NWS said a tornado watch is usually issued for a duration of four to eight hours. It’s usually issued well in advance of the actual occurrence or severe weather.
If a tornado watch is issued, you should review and discuss your emergency plans, take inventory of your supplies and check your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.
Tornado Warning
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by weather spotters. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, you should immediately seek shelter. A tornado warning can also be issued without a tornado watch being already in effect. Tornado warnings are usually issued for a duration of about 30 minutes.
If a tornado warning is issued, you should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornado Emergency
A tornado emergency is the National Weather Service’s highest alert level. It is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. This indicates a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed.
If a tornado emergency is issued, you should immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible. Call friends and family who are within the watch area to ensure they are aware of the situation. If you see a tornado approaching, do not attempt to outrun it in a vehicle; shelter in place. Once safe, monitor your local forecast for the latest updates.
How do I prepare for a tornado?
There are several practices you can follow in preparation for the possibility of a tornado.
Be Weather-Ready
Check your local forecast regularly to see if you are at risk for tornadoes. In the case of a tornado warning, WYFF News 4 will be live on air and on the app to keep you informed with the latest updates.
You can also watch our latest forecast on YouTube. To subscribe to our channel, click here.
Sign Up for Notifications
Signing up for notifications on our app is the quickest way to stay prepared and informed.
For a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for notifications, click here.
Create a Plan
Ensure you have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and evacuation route. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get to quickly, such as a church or family member.
Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. For more information on how to create an emergency plan, click here.
Practice Your Plan
Now that you have created an emergency plan, practice it. Conduct a drill regularly, so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching.
What to do during a tornado
Now that you are prepared for a tornado, here is what you should if a tornado touches down in your area.
If a tornado appears to stay in the same place, growing larger, but not moving right or left, it is headed toward you. In this event, you should take shelter immediately.
Stay Informed
Continue to monitor your local forecast to know when and where a tornado is going to strike. WYFF News 4 will be live on air and on the app during a tornado warning.
Sign up for notifications in case a tornado warning is issued prior to a tornado watch.
For a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for notifications in our app, click here.
At Home
If a tornado warning is issued while you are at home, get to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don’t forget to grab your pets!
If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get to quickly, such as a church or family member.
At Work or School
Follow your tornado drill and go to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
Outside
Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.
In a Vehicle
Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, new safety guidelines say you should get down in your car and cover your head rather than find shelter in a ditch.
What should I do after a tornado?
Stay Informed
During severe weather outbreaks, multiple rounds of thunderstorms can be capable of producing tornadoes. So, continue to monitor your local forecast to know if another tornado is possible. WYFF News 4 will be live on air and on the app during a tornado warning.
Signing up for notifications is the quickest way to stay informed.
For a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for notifications in our app, click here.
Contact Your Relatives and Loved Ones
Let your family and close friends know that you’re okay. The National Weather Service says text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
Assess the Damage
After the threat for tornadoes has ended, check to see if your property has been damaged. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see downed power lines. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
Help Your Neighbors
If you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until first responders arrive.