Severe Weather Update: Tornado Watch Issued

A tornado watch has been issued for the entire area until 4pm.  This has been deemed a "Particularly Dangerous Situation with long-lived and damaging tornadoes possible.

Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch til 4pm

Throughout Saturday into Sunday, conditions have turned more favorable for severe weather development with strong gusty winds pulling moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into our area and a vigorous low pressure system towering into the upper-levels of the atmosphere.  Because of this, the highest risk for severe weather has been outputted today for many of our eastern counties, but everyone around the area still has a significant chance of getting severe storms including tornadoes and high wind gusts of 60-80mph.

Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Outlook for Sunday

Now is the time to get your severe weather plan ready.  Where will you go in case of a tornado? The acronym "D-U-C-K" is handy to have in mind.

D: Go Down to the lowest level of your house and to your "safe area".  Preferably your basement / cellar.  If you don't have that, go to the ground floor and get to the most interior room of your house with no windows.  This could be a closet or your bathroom.

U: Get Under something.  Your best bet is bringing your mattress into your "safe area".  If the worst happens, and your home is impacted, the mattress will protect the debris from hitting you and your family.

C: Cover your head.  I always say, bring your helmet with you and wear shoes as well.  You'll feel goofy, but a helmet can also help prevent debris from causing serious head injuries.  As for the shoes, after the storm passes and the worst happens, you don't want to be walking around bare-foot amongst debris.

K: Keep in place until the storm passes. If a tornado is on the ground, the First Warn Weather team will be on the air with you and will let you know when it is safe to leave your house.  Just turn up the volume as you go to your "safe area" and you'll be able to hear us. - MT