On Friday at 1:31 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Bergen County until 10 p.m.
Tornado Watchings and Warnings: Your Safety Guide
When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the difference between a tornado warning and a tornado watch can be a matter of life and death. Let’s break it down:
Tornado warning: Be prepared!
- A tornado warning is your advance warning when conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.
- This is your cue to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and find your shelter.
- While this is not an indication of an imminent tornado, it serves as a warning so you can respond quickly if a tornado warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.
- Tornado warnings are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area, possibly spanning multiple counties or even states.
Tornado warning: take action!
- A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or detected by weather radar.
- This is the reality – there is an immediate threat to life and property.
- You should react quickly: go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a stable building, away from windows.
- If you are in an RV or vehicle or are stranded outdoors, seek the nearest stable shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
- Warnings are issued by your local weather service and pinpoint a much smaller area, usually the size of a city or small county, where a tornado has been identified either by radar or through reports from trained observers and police.
To stay safe during tornado season, it is extremely important to know the difference between these two warnings. Stay informed, have a plan, and act promptly if danger threatens.
Get ready for tornadoes
Stay weatherproof:
Keep an eye on the weather forecast to stay informed about tornado risks. Tune in to the local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay up to date on tornado watches and warnings.
Sign up for notifications:
Familiarize yourself with your community’s warning systems. Some places have outdoor sirens, while others rely on media and smartphone alerts during severe weather.
Create 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, find a nearby safe building, such as a church or a relative’s home, that you can get to quickly.
Choose a safe shelter:
Choose a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm shelter, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
Practice your plan:
Conduct a regular family thunderstorm drill so everyone knows what to do if a tornado approaches. Make sure all members of your family know to go when there are tornado warnings. Don’t forget your pets, if time permits.
Prepare your home:
Consider reinforcing your safe room for additional protection. Plans for reinforcing an interior space can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
Help your neighbor:
Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornadoes. Consider getting CPR training so you can help in case of injuries.
What to do if a tornado strikes?
When a tornado strikes, quick action is critical to ensure your safety and minimize potential damage. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:
Stay informed:
To ensure your safety during a tornado, the weather service says, remember that quick action is critical. Stay informed of tornado watches and warnings through regular updates on the local news or a NOAA Weather Radio.
At home:
If you receive a tornado warning at home, go to the basement, a designated safe room, or an indoor room without windows. If time permits, keep your pets safe.
At work or school:
At work or school, follow tornado drill procedures and promptly and calmly move to your assigned tornado shelter. Avoid areas with large, open spaces such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums, and stay away from windows.
Outside:
If you are outdoors and a tornado is approaching, seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building. Remember that sheds, storage units, RVs, and tents are not safe options. If there is enough time, get to a safe building.
In the vehicle:
Being in a vehicle during a tornado is extremely dangerous. Your best bet is to drive to the nearest shelter. If you cannot reach a shelter, either stay in the car and protect your head, or exit the vehicle and seek safety in a low area such as a ditch or ravine.
Always remember that when there is an imminent tornado threat, acting quickly and following established safety procedures are critical to your well-being.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
