A tornado warning has been issued for southern Alabama through Thursday afternoon.

At 5:57 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch in effect until 1 p.m. for Butler, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Monroe and Wilcox counties.

Tornado Alerts 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 and death. Let’s break it down:

Tornado Warning: Be Prepared!

• A tornado watch serves as an early warning when conditions are conducive to tornado formation.
• This is the time to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and locate your safe room.
• While this does not mean that a tornado is imminent, it does alert you that you should be prepared to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.
• Tornado warnings are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a wide area, potentially spanning multiple counties or even states.

Tornado warning: take action!

• A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.
• This is a very real situation: there is an immediate threat to life and property.
• Your reaction must be quick: move to an interior room on the ground floor of a solid building, away from windows.
• If you are in a mobile home, vehicle, or stranded outside, seek the nearest sturdy shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and indicate a much smaller area, usually the size of a city or small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or by reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.

Knowing the difference between these two warnings is essential to staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, make a plan, and act quickly when danger looms.

Prepare for a tornado

Be prepared for bad weather:

Keep an eye on weather forecasts to stay informed about tornado risks. Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates on tornado watches and warnings

Sign up for alerts:

Familiarize yourself with your community’s warning systems. Some locations have outdoor sirens, while others rely on media and smartphone alerts for severe storm notifications.

Establish a communication plan:

Prepare a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. If you live in a mobile home or a home without a basement, identify a safe building nearby that you can get to quickly, such as a church or a family member.

Choose a secure shelter:

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

Practice your plan:

Conduct regular family thunderstorm drills so everyone knows what to do if a tornado threatens. Make sure everyone in the family knows where to go safely, and don’t forget your pets if weather permits.

Secure your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe room. Plans for reinforcing an interior room for added protection can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

Extend a helping hand:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornadoes. Consider getting CPR training so you can help if you are injured.

Tornado Safety: What to Do in the Event of a Tornado

When a tornado strikes, it is essential to act quickly to ensure your safety and minimize potential damage. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

To stay safe in the event of a tornado, remember that it’s important to act quickly, according to the weather service. Stay informed about tornado watches and warnings through regular local news updates or NOAA Weather Radio.

At home:

If you are under a tornado warning at home, move to your basement, a safe room, or an indoor space away from windows. Make sure your pets are safe if weather permits.

At work or at school:

If you are at your workplace or school, follow tornado drill procedures. Move quickly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter, avoiding large open spaces such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums, and stay away from windows.

Outdoors:

When you are outside and a tornado is approaching, immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. Remember that sheds, storage areas, mobile homes, and tents are not safe options. If you have enough time, move to a secure structure.

In a vehicle:

It is not safe to drive during a tornado. It is recommended that you drive to the nearest shelter. If you cannot safely drive to one, crouch in your car and cover your head, or exit your vehicle and seek shelter in a low area such as a ditch or ravine.

Always keep in mind that it is essential for your well-being to act quickly and follow established safety procedures when a tornado threat is imminent.

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