A tornado warning is in effect for southeast Alabama

On Tuesday at 5:31 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated tornado warning for Dale, Henry and Houston counties.

The weather service added a “tornado warning.”

“At 5:31 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 7 miles south of Pinkard, or 9 miles southeast of Daleville, moving northeast at 30 mph,” according to the weather service. “Flying debris will be dangerous to those who find themselves homeless. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage will occur to roofs, windows and vehicles. Trees will likely be damaged.”

The weather service commented: “Take cover now! Move to the basement or an interior room in the basement of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outside, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the nearest large area.” Take cover and protect yourself from flying debris.”

This warning is in effect until 6:15 p.m

Tornado Watches 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 or death. Let’s break it down:

Hurricane Watch: Be Prepared!

• A tornado watch serves as an early warning that conditions are ripe for tornado formation.
• It’s your cue to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and locate your safe room.
• Although this does not indicate an impending tornado, it is a warning to be prepared to take quick action if a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect an approaching tornado.
• Tornado watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and often span a wide area, potentially extending to several counties or even states.

Hurricane Warning: Take Action!

• A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been observed or detected by weather radar.
• This is the real deal – there is a direct threat to life and property.
• Your response must be quick: Seek shelter in an interior room in the basement of a sturdy building, away from windows.
• If you are in a mobile home, car, or are stuck outside, seek the nearest large shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Warnings are issued by your local weather office and designate a much smaller area, usually the size of a small city or county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or through reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.

Knowing the difference between these two alerts is crucial to staying safe during hurricane season. Stay informed, have a plan, and act quickly when danger looms.

Prepare for hurricanes

Be prepared for the weather:

Check the forecast regularly to see if you are at risk of tornadoes. Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed of tornado watches and warnings.

Sign up for alerts:

Learn how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others rely on the media and smartphones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.

Develop a communication plan:

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

Choose safe shelter:

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

Develop a communication plan:

Conduct regular family severe thunderstorm drills so everyone knows what to do when a tornado threat arises. Make sure all family members know where it is safe to seek shelter, and don’t forget your pets if time allows.

Prepare your home:

Consider enhancing your safe room for added protection. You can find plans for barricading an interior room on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website.

Help your neighbor:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for potential hurricanes. Consider getting CPR training to be helpful in the event of injuries.

Hurricane Safety: What to Do When a Hurricane Hits

When a tornado hits, taking quick action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential damage. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

Be vigilant and stay informed by listening to local newscasts or NOAA Weather Radio for tornado watches and warnings.

at home:

• If you find yourself under a tornado warning, immediately seek shelter in a basement, safe room, or interior room without windows. If there is enough time, bring your pets with you.

At work or school:

• At work or at school, adhere to tornado drill procedures and move quickly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter. Avoid areas with large open spaces such as cafeterias, gyms, or auditoriums, and stay away from windows.

in the fresh air:

• When you are outside and a tornado approaches, seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building. Remember that sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe options. If there is enough time, make your way to a safe structure.

In a vehicle:

• Being inside a car during a hurricane is highly unsafe. The best course of action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If access to shelter is not possible, stay inside your vehicle with your head covered, or abandon the vehicle and seek safety in a low area such as a ditch or ravine.

Always keep in mind that taking quick action and following established safety procedures is crucial to your well-being when a tornado threat is imminent.

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