Tornado Watch issued for southwestern Mississippi until early Sunday morning – Natchez Democrat

On Saturday at 9:15 pm, a tornado clock was issued by the National Meteorological Service by Sunday at 4 o’clock. The clock is for East Baton Rouge, Eastern Feliciana, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Amit, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Pike, Walthal and Wilkinson.

Tornado Watch vs Tornado Warning: Know the difference

As for the tornado, the understanding of the difference between a tornado clock and a tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Let’s break it:

Tornado Watch: Be prepared!

• The tornado clock serves as an early warning that the conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado.
• Your signal is to review your emergency plans, make sure your deliveries are in order and identify your safe room.
• Although this does not mean that Tornado is upcoming, it is mainly that you should be ready to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect that a tornado is approaching.
• The clocks come from the storm forecasting center and often cover a large area, potentially encompassing many counties or even states.

Tornado Warning: Get Actions!

• A tornado warning means that a tornado is noticed or discovered by meteorological radar.
• This is the real deal – there is an immediate danger to life and property.
• Your answer should be quick: look for shelter in the interior room on the largest floor of a healthy building, away from the windows.
• If you are in a mobile home, a vehicle or caught outdoors, find the closest essential shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• The warnings are issued by your local forecast office and determine a much smaller area, usually the size of a city or a small county where a tornado is identified, either through radar, or through reports of trained prints and law enforcement.

Knowing the difference between these two signals is paramount to maintaining safety during the tornado season. Be informed, have a plan and act immediately when the danger is outlined.

Prepare for tornado

Stay ready for the weather:

Check the forecast regularly to see if you are at risk of tornado. Listen to NOAA’s local news or radio to be informed of Tornado clocks and warnings.

Sign up for notifications:

Get acquainted with your community warning systems. Some places have outdoor sirens, while others rely on media reports and smartphones for heavy storm notifications.

Create a communication plan:

Create a family plan for emergency cases that include a specific meeting place and important contact information. If your home is missing a basement, identify a nearby safe building, such as a church or house of a relative that you can reach quickly.

Choose a protective shelter:

Choose a safe room in your home, such as a basement, stormy cellar or interior room on the largest floor without windows.

Practice your plan:

Do regular family workouts for heavy thunderstorms so that everyone knows what to do when threatening a tornado. Make sure all family members are aware of the safe place to seek asylum and do not forget about your pets if the weather allows.

Provide your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe room. You can find plans to strengthen an internal room to ensure better protection of the Federal Website for emergency management.

Help your neighbor:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornado. Consider taking the CPR training to help help in the event of injury.

What should I do when tornado hits

When tornado hits, taking quick action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential damage. Follow these instructions from NWS:

Be informed:

Be vigilant and be informed by engaging in local news, or using radio for NOAA time to receive clock updates and Tornado warnings.

Home:

If you are home and a tornado warning is issued, make your way to the basement, a definitely safe room or interior space away from the windows. Be sure to ensure the safety of your pets if the weather allows.

At work or school:

If you are at your workplace or school, stick to tornado training procedures. Move immediately and calmly to your definitive tornado shelter, avoiding large outdoor areas such as cafes, gymnastics or audiences and avoid windows.

Outdoor:

If the tornado is on the way, immediately seek asylum in a solid building. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes and tents are not safe places.

In a vehicle:

It is not safe to be in a vehicle during a tornado. The recommended action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you get to safe shelter is not possible, either press in your car and cover your head, or leave your car and seek asylum in a low area like a ditch or gully.

Always keep in mind that taking action and following established safety procedures is crucial to your well -being when an inevitable threat of tornado is inevitable.

Source: National Meteorological Service