Severe Weather Warnings

WATCHES

Watches are issued when conditions are favorable for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flash floods.

If you are in a "watch" area, continue with normal activities, but also make plans to seek shelter if necessary.

WARNINGS

Warnings are issued when severe weather has been reported or is imminent. Seek shelter immediately if you are in or near the path of the storm. Know the name of the county you live in and the cities around you; warnings are issued by county names, city names and well-known landmarks.

ADVANCED INFORMATION

The process of forecasting and warning begins days ahead of time, when the threat area is determined.  Hazardous weather outlooks are issued early every morning and updated as conditions warrant. 

IF A WATCH IS ISSUED

When the National Weather Service issues a weather watch, local weather offices are staffed with extra personnel and state officials are notified. Information is passed to the county and local level.  Counties and cities activate their spotter groups as the threat increases.  TV and radio stations pass the word to the public.

IF A WARNING IS ISSUED

Warnings are disseminated swiftly, using hotlines and other tools, including TV, radio and the Internet.  People may receive warnings via cell phones, pagers and other methods.  Storm spotters provide constant reports and officials carry out plans developed by emergency managers.  Updates are issued frequently until the threat has ended.

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Media outlets receive warning information and provide it to the public by interrupting programming or using a "crawl" or other visual message.  Finally, the tone-alert feature of a NOAA Weather Radio will also activate special receivers, sounding an alarm to alert you to the danger.

County and local law enforcement centers are also warned of impending severe weather via special phone lines and radio systems.

Using the National Weather Service information, local and county officials decide whether to sound the outdoor warning sirens.