FYI - EDIT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH BELOW WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION. BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE DATE IN THE POST TO CLARIFY THE TIMELINE.

As you may have likely heard, there is a moderate risk (4 out of 5) for strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and dangerous nighttime tornadoes tomorrow, Tuesday, April 4th, into Wednesday morning, April 5th, for portions of the state. For the latest updates, see https://www.spc.noaa.gov/

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄

1) 🧑‍🚒 Find trusted information from local public agencies on Nextdoor; go to https://nextdoor.com/agency/feed

2) 📱 Have multiple ways (mobile phone, TV, radio, FEMA app) to receive weather alerts and to keep your phone charged.

3) 🌪️ Identify where you can take shelter if a tornado warning is issued. The safest place in a home is the basement. If there is no basement, an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor is second best.

If you live in a mobile home and need shelter, you can explore maps like this one http://findyourtornadoshelter.com. Be sure to have a plan for how you will get there. 

Remember, when a tornado warning is issued, the tornado is here or near, and you need to take shelter immediately!

It's also helpful to:

🌬️ Secure or bring in items that could become projectiles

📷 Take pictures of your home before the storm; this can help with insurance later if needed

🙋 Make sure your neighbors have a plan and transportation to shelters if needed𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆:

⚠️ WATCH = Stay alert & be ready to take shelter

⚠️ WARNING = Take shelter immediately in a safe place

𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒?

🙋 If you have a basement or the lowest level inside room with no windows and are willing to invite your neighbors to shelter with you, follow the instructions below:

Step 1: Click this link https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?open_composer=true&hashtag=tornadoshelter

Step 2: Where it says, "What is on your mind, neighbor," type "If you need a place to shelter during a tornado warning, you are welcome to shelter in my basement"

Step 3: Click "Add a location;" if the location is inaccurate, type your address in the "Search" field, then click the "Use this location" button.

Step 4: Click "Next"

Step 5: Under "Post to your feed," click on "Anyone" and change it to "Nearby neighborhoods" to reach neighbors close to you

Step 6: Click "Post"

Step 7: Monitor and respond to comments by your neighbors.

Step 8: Trade phone numbers so you have two ways to communicate  

👉 To see or edit your post, visit your profile - https://nextdoor.com/profile

👉 To see who is offering their basement for shelter - https://nextdoor.com/hashtag/tornadoshelter/𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓

✅ Keep freezers and fridges closed as much as possible 

✅ Switch off electronics to avoid damage from surges

✅ Place generators outside, at least 20 ft. away from the house 

Follow these food safety tips:

🤢 Don't taste the food

🌡️ Use a thermometer to check food temperature

🗑️ Throw away food that is 40+ degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours𝐈𝐅 𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐕𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄:

🚫 Do not try to outrun a tornado if you are in a vehicle.

🚫 Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.

✅ If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot get to a building, cover your head and neck with your arms - cover your body with a coat or blanket, if possible.

𝐈𝐅 𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄:

✅ Decide where you will go to take shelter. A friend or relative’s permanent house is a possibility. Make sure you can get in 24 hours a day.

✅ Time out the route to your shelter location so you’ll be certain you can get there quickly whenever a tornado warning is issued.

✅ Always follow weather forecasts and purchase an NOAA weather radio. The radio will sound, alerting you to severe weather warnings 24 hours a day.

✅ Sign up for severe weather text messages or e-mail alerts. And, if you do not have time to get to your safe shelter, get out of the mobile home and take cover in a ditch or low-lying area.

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐎:

✅ For updated information, pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, and local authorities.

✅ Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.

✅ Wear appropriate gear during clean-up, such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves; use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒:

😔 It's common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, isolated, or distressed during such events. 

🫶 You're not alone: The National Disaster Distress Line 1-800-985-5990 offers 24/7 confidential, multilingual emotional support https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline