Update: North Alabama was placed under a tornado watch on Saturday evening

On Saturday at 8.40 p.m., an updated Tornado watch was published by the National Weather Service until 9 p.m. for Cullman, Dekalb, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan.

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning: Do you know the difference

When it comes to tornados, it can be a question of life and death to understand the distinction between a tornado clock and a tornado warning. Here is a breakdown:

Tornado clock: Be prepared!

• A tornado watch serves as an early warning that the conditions of the tornado formation are beneficial.
• It is your hint to check and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies and find your safe space.
• It does not mean that a tornado is imminent, but it is a head-up that should be ready to act quickly if a tornado warning is exhibited or if you suspect that a tornado approaches.
• The watches come from the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area that may comprise several counties or even states.

Tornado warning: take measures!

• A tornado warning means that a tornado was discovered or discovered by weather radar.
• This is real business – there is an immediate danger to life and property.
• Your answer should be quick: go to an interior on the bottom floor of a stable building, away from windows.
• If you are in a mobile home, a vehicle or an outdoor house, look for the next considerable protection and protect yourself from flying ruins.
• Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and determine a much smaller area, usually the size of a city or a small district in which a tornado was identified either by radar or by reporting trained spotters and law enforcement authorities.

Knowing the distinction between these two warnings is of great importance to remain safe during the Tornado season. If you stay up to date, you have a plan and act immediately if the danger stands out.

Get ready for tornados

Be ready for weather:

Keep an eye on the weather forecast to stay informed about Tornado risks. Switch on local news or a NOAA weather radio to update Tornado watches and warnings

Register for warnings:

Familiarize yourself with the warning systems of your community. Some places have outdoor sirens, while others rely on media and smartphone notifications for heavy storm notifications.

Create a communication plan:

Create a family emergency plan that includes a defined meeting point and important contact information. If a basement is missing from your home, you identify a nearby safe building like a church or the house of a relative that you can quickly reach.

Choose a safe shelter:

Choose a safe space in your house, e.g. B. a basement, a storm cellar or an interior in the lower floor without a window.

Create a communication plan:

Run a serious thunderstorm exercise regularly so that everyone can do what to do when a tornado approaches. Make sure that all members of your family know that you are going there when Tornado warnings are output. Don't forget pets if time allows this.

Prepare your home:

Consider strengthening your safe space. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior to offer better protection on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Expand a helping hand:

Encourage your neighbors and relatives to prepare for possible tornados. Consider support the CPR training courses in injuries.

Tornado Survival Guide: Immediate measures for your security

When a tornado strikes, it is crucial to take measures quickly to ensure your safety and minimize possible damage. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

Stay vigilant and stay up to date by listening to local news programs or a NOAA weather radio for Tornado watches and warnings.

At home:

If you are at home and a tornado warning is output, go to the basement, a designated safe space or an interior of the windows. Don't forget to ensure the security of your pets if time allows this.

At work or at school:

Keep in Tornado drilling processes at the workplace or at school and go to your designated Tornado -Unterheim immediately and calmly. Avoid areas with large, open rooms such as cafeterias, high schools or auditories and stay away from windows.

Outside:

If a tornado is on the way, they immediately look for protection in a solid building. Dandrades, storage facilities, mobile homes and tents are not safe places.

In a vehicle:

During a tornado in a vehicle is very insecure. Your best option is to go to the next shelter. If the protection is not possible, either stay in your car, cover your head or leave the vehicle and look for refuge in a low area such as a ditch or gorge.

Remember that for your well -being, when a tornado is imminent, it is quickly to act quickly and to follow security protocols.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.