Today's topic will be the severe weather alert process.

The Raleigh national service along with emergency management, the American Red Cross, and local media all work together educating the community concerning the dangers of severe weather.

You can prepare for the possibility of severe weather by learning the safest places to seek shelter when at home, work, school, or outdoors.  You should take time to understand basic weather terms and the danger signs related to severe weather and know how to respond. Severe weather can strike in an instant.  Your chances of staying safe are greater if you have a plan and practice your plan.  When individuals and communities prepare for disasters...lives are saved.

Severe weather watches:

When severe weather is possible across North Carolina, the National Weather Service will issue a watch.  Watches are issued for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and floods.

A watch provides you a heads up alerting you that severe weather is forecast.  As storms develop, they could become life threatening and damaging. Watches are intended to raise situational awareness and allow you time to prepare.  When a watch is issued remain alert for possible bad weather approaching. Watches are transmitted via NOAA weather radio as well as local television stations.

Severe weather warning:

Once severe weather is imminent or already occurring, the National Weather Service will issue a warning!  Warnings indicate an immediate danger to life and property and that you should enact your safety plan now.

When warnings are issued, you should stay away from windows and seek shelter in the middle of your home on the lowest floor.  All warnings should be taken seriously.  If you are caught outside or are a boater on the water, you are especially at risk.  Be sure that you know how to protect yourself. Warnings are also transmitted via NOAA weather radio as well as by local television stations. Local television stations are the front line for the dissemination of National Weather Service warnings. Most residents in North Carolina receive warning information from the National Weather Service through television and radio.

Before the storm:

Preparing before the storm is the most important.  Have a NOAA weather radio with a warning alarm tone and battery backup.  Having battery operated television will also help you stay in touch with local television stations that will be covering the severe weather event.

Develop a safety plan and share it with your entire family.  Schools should also have a written plan in place and practice that plan at least twice a year.

Staying informed about severe weather and making sure that you know what to do when severe weather threatens will keep you and your family safe.

The mission of the National Weather Service is to protect the life and property of everyone in North Carolina.  Make sure that you know what to do once the alarm is sounded.