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It pays to be prepared in case a weather-related disaster occurs!

The National Weather Service issues a watch when conditions favor the occurrence of a certain type of hazardous weather, such as a tornado or winter storm.† Watches can be issued for as much as 12-36 hours in advance for a state or a portion of a state.† In the event of a watch you should monitor a National Weather service broadcast and be alert to changing weather conditions.† Be prepared should the watch be upgraded to a warning.

A National Weather Service warning indicates that a hazardous event is occurring or is imminent in about thirty minutes to an hour.† A tornado or storm may be headed your way.† Local NWS forecast offices issue warnings on a county-by-county basis.

The Cityís Travelerís Information Radio Station, 1610 AM on the radio dial, will continuously air the live National Weather Service broadcast from Nashville during severe weather conditions or in the event a tornado watch or warning is issued for the Tullahoma area.† You can also monitor the weather with a NOAA Weather Radio or listen to commercial television and radio weather broadcasts.† In the event of a power outage, use a battery-powered radio to hear the 1610 broadcast or continue to monitor your battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio.†† Should the local Red Cross office make the decision to open shelters in the wake of a tornado or weather- related disaster, that information will be communicated to the community over 1610.

The City of Tullahoma outdoor warning siren system will sound a steady alert tone in the event a tornado warning is issued for the Tullahoma area.† Should you hear the warning tone, seek shelter immediately and turn to a National Weather Service Broadcast for updates on the weather situation.† Continue to monitor the National Weather Service broadcast to determine when the danger has passed.

Hereís what you should do during a tornado warning:

• If you are outdoors or in a car, take shelter immediately in the basement of the closest sturdy building if possible. If there is no shelter available, lie flat and face-down in the nearest low spot of ground not subject to flooding, protecting your head and neck† with your arms.† Stay as low as possible.
  
  
• Never try to out-drive a tornado in a car.
  
  
• If you are already in a building, stay there, and take shelter in the strongest part of the structure, normally in the lowest level of the building away from outside windows and doors.† A basement or a small uncluttered room such as a closet or bathroom with no glass windows and doors in the center of the house are desirable safe places.†
  
  
• Getting under sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table away from windows and doors can also provide protection.† Hold on to the furniture with one hand and protect your head and neck from falling or flying objects with the other arm and hand.†
  
  
• Avoid taking shelter near tall furniture that can tip over.
  
  
• Keep house windows closed, and try to make sure your designated ìsafe placeî does not have windows or glass doors.†
  
  
• If you are in a mobile home, seek other shelter if time permits, or lie flat, face down, in the nearest low spot of ground not subject to flooding.† Use your arms and hands to protect your head and neck.† Stay as low as possible.

Your family can prepare by planning and practicing a home tornado plan and assembling a disaster supplies kit. Click here for a list of items to assemble your disaster kit.† Have an identified safe place you will go in your home in the event of a tornado warning and have your family members practice going there quickly.

Hereís what you should know about a winter storm:

During the winter months, there is always the possibility of freezing rain, snow and icy conditions.††† A ìwinter weather advisoryî is issued when winter weather conditions are expected to hinder travel.† A ìwinter storm watchî means that severe weather is possible.† A ìwinter storm warningî means heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain are expected.† A ìblizzard warningî means that heavy snow, winds and dangerously low temperatures are expected.† ìFreezing rainî is forecast when expected rain is likely to freeze as it strikes the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads and walkways.

Be sure you are prepared for winter weather conditions by assembling your familyís disaster supplies kit.† Make sure you have a full tank of gas in your vehicle and some extra cash on hand.† Click here for a suggested list of items to be included in a disaster kit.