SCEMD Urges Severe Weather Precautions

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February 23, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 4 p.m.) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division urges everyone to stay alert for severe weather and possible tornadoes beginning tonight and into tomorrow. Forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center has placed South Carolina under a slight risk for severe weather including the potential for damaging winds, hail, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes.

SCEMD recommends the following safety precautions:
  • Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch is issued when weather conditions are such that tornadoes are likely to develop. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for the latest information.
  • Be alert for approaching storms.
  • Be ready to take shelter.
When a tornado warning is issued you should:
  • Take shelter immediately in a house or small building. If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lower level.
  • Get under a sturdy table and cover your head. Stay there until the danger has passed.
  • In a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately and go to a more substantial structure. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch and cover your head. Do not attempt to outdrive a tornado.

Severe thunderstorms can produce danergous flash flooding, lightning, hail and strong winds. Listen to your radio or television for the latest severe weather statements. A severe thunderstorm watch will tell you when and where severe thunderstorms are more likely to occur. A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when severe weather has been reported or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

When thunderstorms approach:
  • Move to a sturdy building or car.
  • Do not attempt to cross flooded roads in your car.
  • Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.