We are concerned about tornadoes today in portions of eastern Pennsylvania, most of New Jersey, the New York City metro area, Long Island, southern Connecticut, southeastern upstate New York, northern Delaware, and northeastern Maryland. Now we DONT expect numerous tornadoes, and we DONT expect them to form everywhere in this region, but we DO expect thunderstorms capable of producing some to pop-up later this afternoon and evening. In this area, it is best to be #StormReady and be prepared for the possibility of severe weather. If severe thunderstorms look likely for your area, they will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Watch. When an actual severe storm is in or near your county, they will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. When thunder roars, head indoors! If you are close enough to hear thunder, lightning is close enough to kill you! Head indoors away from windows when severe thunderstorms strike. If theres an increased threat of tornadoes in your area above/beyond the severe storm threat, the National Weather Service will issue a Tornado Watch for your area. When an actual tornado is spotted in your county, either by a trained observer or by RADAR, a Tornado Warning will be issued for your county. Act quick --your life is in imminent danger in such a scenario. Follow these tips from the National Weather Service should a Tornado Warning be issued for you: In a house with a basement? >>> Avoid windows. Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table or work bench), or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) and do not go under them. They may fall down through a weakened floor and crush you. Head protection, such as a helmet, can offer some protection also. In a house with no basement? >>> Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands. A bath tub may offer a shell of partial protection. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail. A helmet can offer some protection against head injury. In an office building, hospital, nursing home or skyscraper? >>> Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass and on the lowest floor possible. Then, crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly. Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost. In a mobile home? >>> Get out! Even if your home is tied down, it is not as safe as an underground shelter or permanent, sturdy building. Go to one of those shelters, or to a nearby permanent structure, using your tornado evacuation plan. Most tornadoes can destroy even tied-down mobile homes; and it is best not to play the low odds that yours will make it. In school? >>> Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly way as you are told. Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms. Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums. In a car or truck? >>> Vehicles are extremely risky in a tornado. There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car, just slightly less-dangerous ones. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Seek shelter in a sturdy building, or underground if possible. If you are caught by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes. Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible. If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway,leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris. In the open outdoors? >>> If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Get as far away from trees and cars as you can; they may be blown onto you in a tornado. In a shopping mall or large store? >>> Do not panic. Watch for others. Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small enclosed area, away from windows. In a church or theater? >>> Do not panic. If possible, move quickly but orderly to an interior bathroom or hallway, away from windows. Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms. If there is no time to do that, get under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands. REMEMBER: Social media, the internet, and your smartphone may not offer timely information about Tornado Warnings issued for your area; always depend on NOAA Weather Radio to receive your warnings the moment they are issued. We will keep you updated as this severe weather event unfolds later today. Please be #StormReady and stay safe!!
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:28:16 +0000
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