Tornado Watch Issued for Five States Sunday Night
Severe storms have been hammering large areas of the Midwest and South on Sunday, bringing heavy rains, high winds, and in some cases, threats of tornadoes.
As of this afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tornado Watch for five states in those regions running through later tonight.
Which areas are affected?
According to the NWS Tornado X/Twitter page, parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas are under Tornado Watch until 9 p.m. local time Sunday, while areas of Illinois are under Tornado Watch until 10 p.m. tonight.
Dozens of counties in each state are covered in the alert. A Tornado Watch is the second-most serious tornado-related scenario, with a Tornado Warning signifying a twister is "imminent."
"A Tornado Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possiblein and near the watch area," says the official Weather.gov definition. "It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible. Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows: 1) Winds of 58 mph or higher AND/OR 2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger."
What to do if you're under a Tornado Watch
The National Weather Service has compiled a list of guidelines to follow if you're under a Tornado Watch and want to be prepared.
- Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips.
- Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.
- Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get too 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. Check more ideas for your family plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
- Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when tornado warnings are issued. Don't forget pets if time allows.
- Prepare Your Home: Consider having your safe room reinforced. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
- Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt.
Stay safe everyone.