x
Breaking News
More () »

Tornado Warnings Expire For Piedmont Triad Counties

Make sure you stay weather aware as additional tornado warnings could be issued. Follow WFMY News 2 for the latest safety information.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A tornado warning has expired for Piedmont Triad counties but there are still severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. Make sure you stay weather aware.

ALERTS: Latest WFMY News 2 Weather Alerts

TORNADO WARNING


A tornado warning means a tornado has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar and there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the tornado.

RELATED: Watch vs. Warning: What's the Difference in Severe Weather

TORNADO SAFETY TIPS


From the National Weather Service

  • The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement, or safe room.
  • If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
  • Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. Abandon mobile homes and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately.
  • If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter: Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
  • If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort: Stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
  • If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car, and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
  • Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances
  • Cover yourself with a mattress, sleeping bags, or pillows
  • Wear a helmet to protect your head
  • Get low to the ground or floor as much as possible and cover yourself

RELATED: Tornado Safety Tips: What You Need To Know To Be As Safe As Possible

HOUSE STAND-ALONE BUILDING:

  • Get to the lowest level possible
  • Go to an area with as many walls between you as possible
  • Get in a bathtub or interior closet
Credit: WFMY News 2
Know where to go in the event of a tornado

MOBILE HOME:

  • Get out of the mobile home and get in a sturdy building if possible
  • Get out of the mobile home and hunker in a ditch
  • If no ditch or building is nearby, plan ahead and get to a sturdy building ahead of time

APARTMENT:

  • Get to the lowest level (go to a neighbor's apartment on the first floor)
  • Regardless of what floor you're on, get in a bathtub or interior closet
  • If you are on a higher level and can't get to a lower apartment, hunker down in the breezeway of the apartment building

CAR:

  • If possible, pull over, park, get inside a building and out of the storm
  • If you have to stay in your car, try to find a ditch to park in and use your emergency break
  • DO NOT park under a bridge or overpass

Check It Out: Tips on Staying Safe When Severe Weather Hits

TORNADO FACT OR FICTION SAFETY

From the National Weather Service

FICTION: Lakes, rivers, and mountains protect areas from tornadoes.

FACT: No geographic location is safe from tornadoes. A tornado near Yellowstone National Park left a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 foot mountain.

FICTION: A tornado causes buildings to “explode” as the tornado passes overhead.

FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause the most structural damage.

FICTION: Open windows before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.

FACT: Virtually all buildings leak. Leave the windows closed. Take shelter immediately. An underground shelter, basement or safe room are the safest places. If none of those options are available, go to a windowless interior room or hallway.

FICTION: Highway overpasses provide safe shelter from tornadoes.

FACT: The area under a highway overpass is very dangerous in a tornado. If you are in a vehicle, you should immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. As a last resort, you can either: stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible, OR if you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances.

FICTION: It is safe to take shelter in the bathroom, hallway, or closet of a mobile home.

FACT: Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes! Abandon your mobile home to seek shelter in a sturdy building immediately. If you live in a mobile home, ensure you have a plan in place that identifies the closest sturdy buildings.

REPORTING POWER OUTAGES

Duke Energy: 1-800-POWERON, 1-800-769-3766 Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online
Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
NC Electrical Cooperatives: 1-888-411-7870
Energy United: 1-800-386-4833
Randolph Electric: 1-877-736-2633
Piedmont Electric: 1-800-449-2667
Surry-Yadkin Electric: 336-356-8241
City of Lexington Electric: 336-248-2337
City of High Point Electric: 336-883-3111

STAY CONNECTED

Download WFMY News 2 Apps: If your power or cable goes out, you'll still be able to connect online. Download the WFMY News 2 App for live streaming video, updated weather forecasts, and reports from our field crews.

►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WFMY News 2 App now

Stay connected 24/7 via WFMY News 2
Only when it is safe to do so, please share your storm and damage pictures and Videos to myphotos@wfmy.com or to webteam@wfmy.com

Follow WFMY News 2 on Facebook and Twitter

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

@WFMYWeather

@WFMY

@TimBuckleyWx

@tkweather

@CKMorganWX

@EdMatthews2

@EricChilton

Other Twitter Handles to Follow for emergency updates:

@NCEmergency

@NCPublicSafety

@ReadyGov

@FEMA

Before You Leave, Check This Out