Severe Thunderstorm Watch: The conditions are right for the formation of severe thunderstorms, which could include damaging winds with hail. Tornadoes cannot be ruled out with severe thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorms probably won’t start forming for a few hours, so take this time to secure any loose objects outside. Bring objects that are susceptible to wind and hail damage inside. Park any vehicles inside a garage or other sturdy shelter. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio via our Severe Weather Update or by our audio stream.
Tornado Watch: Usually issued after Severe Thunderstorm Watches. Once again secure any loose outdoor objects and bring objects that are susceptible to wind and hail damage inside. Park any vehicles inside a garage or other sturdy shelter. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio via our Severe Weather Update or by our audio stream. Be prepared to seek shelter in a tornado shelter or an interior room on the lowest floor of a building if you see a tornado or a tornado warning is issued. If you are driving, be prepared to pull over and seek shelter in a ditch of you see a tornado.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe Thunderstorms have been located and are causing impacts. SEEK SHELTER INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING OR HARD-TOPPED VEHICLE NOW! Cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring. Lightning is nature’s leading killer; if you are close enough to hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Do not take showers, use water, use landline telephones, or use any electronics that are plugged into the electrical mains. If you are driving, reduce your speed, and be prepared for torrential rainfall and constant cloud-to-ground lighting, as well as hail. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio via our Severe Weather Update or by our audio stream.
Tornado Warning: YOU ARE IN A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. SEEK SHELTER NOW ON THE LOWEST FLOOR A STURDY BUILDING, OR IN A DESIGNATED TORNADO SHELTER. IF YOU ARE DRIVING AND SEE A TORNADO APPROACHING, PULL OVER AND SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR OTHER LOW-LAYING AREA. DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER AN OVERPASS. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio via our Severe Weather Update or by our audio stream. Please note that the mobile phone network may be crippled by tornadoes, which will result in limited or no service.
Winter Storm Watch: The conditions are right for the formation of a winter storm which may bring snowfall, sleet, freezing rain, or a combination thereof that will impact travel. You should consider cancelling all non-essential journeys during the watch period, and pack an emergency kit with extra warm clothes and a fully charged mobile phone in the event you become stranded.
Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm containing snowfall, sleet, freezing rain, or a combination thereof that is severely impacting travel has been located. Do not travel unless your journey is essential. If you must travel, pack an emergency kit with extra warm clothes in the event you become stranded. Be ensure to inform at least two people of where you are travelling from, where you are travelling to, an ETA, and which route you will be taking. Inform them when you leave, and when you arrive. Be sure to travel with a fully charged mobile phone so you can call the emergency services and breakdown recovery if you become stranded.
Blizzard Warning DO NOT TRAVEL. WORK FROM HOME OR CALL OFF. Most freeways and highways are closed. Visibility is limited to at most 30-60 meters. If you are already driving on a freeway or highway, pull off at the next exit, and find a place to park and seek shelter.
Required Weekly Test: This is a test alert sent out to ensure that all components of the Emergency Alert System are operational. No action is required. This is only a test message.