Watches and Warnings

 

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 Map Information

The Watches and Warnings map is updated every 5 minutes with new advisories, which might warn about weather such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, tropical storms, wind, and winter weather. A warning is the most urgent type of advisory, followed by watch, and then advisory. A warning means that severe weather has been spotted in your area or is imminent. A watch or advisory means that you should be on the lookout for inclement weather.

 Storm Safety

 

	Severe Thunderstorms During severe thunderstorms, the air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 degrees - hotter than the surface of the sun. So what should you do when thunderstorms approach? Remain indoors away from windows, electrical appliances and avoid using home phones. Automobiles can be the safest location during a lightning storm. If you're caught outside with nowhere to run, find a low spot and crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet together. Limit contact with the ground and avoid being the tallest object.
	Flash Flooding A few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall can cause flash flooding. Surprisingly enough, more weather deaths can be blamed on flash flooding than any other type of severe weather. Nearly half of all flash flooding fatalities are auto related. The key to survival during flooding is to avoid running water, such as you would find in swollen streams and low water crossings. Drive cautiously, never go through road blocks or travel over flooded roads. Shallow water, one foot deep can carry your car off the road.
	Tornadoes Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms. If you think you are in the path of a tornado get to a secure home or sturdy building. Avoid mobile homes. Head for the basement - if you have one - or go to the center of the room on the lowest floor, away from windows. A bathroom or central closet provides better protection. Use blankets or a mattress to protect yourself and others from flying debris. If caught outside or in a vehicle, do not try to outrun the tornado in your car. As a last resort, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression.
	Winter Storms Strong winds and/or heavy accumulations of ice and snow can bring down trees, utility poles and power lines. Small amounts of ice can cause extreme hazards to motorists and pedestrians. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold may cause frostbite or hypothermia which could be life threatening, especially to infants and elderly people. Snow, sleet and freezing rain make up the winter precipitation types during a storm. If you lose power during a storm, use space heaters, a fireplace or a wood stove to keep warm.