Tornado Warning in St. Mary's and Calvert Counties

4/16/2019 (Permalink)

On Sunday, April 14th, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch early evening leading into the dawns of the night and ending around 4am for many Maryland Counties. Around 2:45am, the Southern area of St. Mary's County Tornado Watch was turned into a Tornado Warning and residents were advised to take immediate shelter. 

SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties urges the importance of knowing the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning and the precautions you should take. 

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop

• Have a reliable weather source in reach to keep you updated on weather changes
• Have a plan of where and how you will take shelter 
• Watch for changes in the weather. Green or orange sky and hail are tornado-friendly conditions

Tornado Warning: A tornado is in the area or radar indicates that a tornado is developing 

• Take immediate shelter. Go to the lowest level in the building or safety shelter
• Stay away from windows and grab blankets/furniture to cover yourself to avoid being injured by flying debris
• If you are outside, find the lowest area like a ditch and lay face down covering your neck and head with your arms and hands. (Do not go under a bridge or overpass) 
• Do not leave safety area until Warning is lifted 

If your area is heading into the night with a Tornado Watch in affect, make sure you have a way to get alerts while you are sleeping. Have your phone set up to get emergency alerts and listen for the Fire Departments siren.