Tornado and flood alert in Florida: These are the affected areas
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado and flood watch in Florida. We share with you which are the possible areas that will be affected.
After several severe storms, high winds and tornadoes were reported Thursday night in Texas, severe weather has moved to the east, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a tornado and flood alerts for parts of Florida and other states.
The agency shared a Tornado Watch for parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia until 11:00 p.m. ET. As for the Sunshine State, the counties under tornado warning are: Holmes; Jackson; Walton; Washington; Escambia; Okaloosa and Santa Rosa.
According to the NWS forecast, some tornadoes and winds up to 70 miles per hour are possible.
On the other hand, these Florida counties are under a flood warning: Escambia Inland; Escambia Coastal; Santa Rosa Inland; Santa Rosa Coastal; Okaloosa Inland; Okaloosa Coastal; North Walton; Holmes and Jackson.
For more information about current alerts, consult the web portal of the National Weather Service (NWS) or its social media. Below we explain what you should do before and during a tornado.
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What to do before and during a tornado?
If tornadoes are possible, the NWS will issue a tornado watch, like the one currently in effect in Florida. This does not mean that tornadoes will occur, only that they are possible, that is, conditions are favorable for tornadoes and it is necessary to pay attention and be alert in case they occur.
When a tornado occurs or is imminent, the National Weather Service will issue a Tornado Warning. This means you need to implement your plans to protect yourself, so it is extremely important to keep an eye on NWS channels to stay informed.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, seek shelter immediately. If you have a tornado shelter or basement, seek shelter there. If you don’t have shelter, go to the lowest floor of your home and take shelter in an interior room away from windows, such as a closet or bathroom.
You can also get under something sturdy, like a heavy table, and cover yourself with blankets or a mattress for added protection. Consider putting on a helmet, as head injuries are the leading cause of death in a tornado.