National Weather Service Issues Tornado Watch Until 8:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the Raleigh area until 8 p.m. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.

Additionally, the National Weather Service has advised that the area may experience wind gusts of hurricane force (74 miles per hour or greater) from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

What To Do in Watch

Knowing what to do and where to go in the event of a tornado is essential to your safety and that of your family. In response to a tornado watch you should:

• Get children and pets inside;
• Move cars inside a garage or carport;
• Move lawn furniture and yard equipment inside, if time permits;
• Turn your radio or television to weather reports; and,
• Be alert for changing weather conditions. Tornadoes occur in conjunction with severe, hail-producing thunderstorms.

What To Do in Warning

If a tornado warning is issued, or you have an indication that a tornado may be approaching, take cover immediately.

The safest places in a home are the interior rooms on the lowest level, away from windows. These safest places may be bathrooms, interior closets or under stairways. Ideal locations include storm cellars and basements. If windows are up, leave them up. If they are down, leave them down. Do not spend precious seconds at a position where flying debris or glass could kill you. If you are in a multistory building, take shelter in an interior hallway, away from windows.

If you are in a car, do not try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter immediately.

In the event of a tornado warning, leave a mobile home immediately. If you do not have the time to get to a shelter, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine or culvert with your hands shielding your head.