San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties are the focus of an updated tornado warning issued at 4:05 p.m. on Monday by the National Weather Service. The warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m.
“At 4:05 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 10 miles west of Boulder Creek, or 16 miles southwest of Saratoga, moving north at 35 mph,” the NWS San Francisco CA said. “Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.”
The warning is for Mainly rural areas of South Central San Mateo and Northwestern Santa Cruz counties.
Recommended action: Seek shelter
The NWS said, “Highway overpasses are not safe shelters. If you cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, abandon your vehicle and lie down in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris.”
Emergency alerts in the San Francisco Bay Area
All enabled mobile phones in the area will receive emergency alerts for “considerable or catastrophic” hazards. To monitor other local risk, residents are advised to sign up for county alert systems and to monitor agencies’ social media. Follow these instructions to enable your phone to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). To receive local alerts in the Bay Area, visit each county’s website:
Tornado watches and warnings: Your safety guide
When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the difference between a Tornado watch and a Tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Let’s break it down:
Tornado watch: Be prepared!
- A Tornado watch serves as an early warning that conditions are conducive to tornado formation.
- It’s your cue to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and locate your safe room.
- While it doesn’t indicate an imminent tornado, it’s a heads-up to be prepared to take swift action if a Tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.
- Tornado Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and often encompass a broad area, potentially spanning multiple counties or even states.
Tornado warning: Take action!
- A Tornado warning signifies that a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.
- This is the real deal – there’s an immediate danger to life and property.
- Your response should be quick: seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
- If you’re in a mobile home, a vehicle, or caught outdoors, find the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
- Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and pinpoint a much smaller area, typically the size of a city or a small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or through reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.
Knowing the difference between these two alerts is essential in staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan, and act promptly when danger approaches.
Get ready for tornadoes
Stay weather-ready:
Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.
Sign up for notifications:
Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.
Create a communication plan:
Create a family emergency plan that includes a designated meeting place and important contact information. If your home lacks a basement, identify a nearby safe building, like a church or a relative’s house, that you can reach quickly.
Choose a secure shelter:
Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
Establish a communication plan:
Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when tornado warnings are issued. Don’t forget pets if time allows.
Secure your home:
Consider having your safe room reinforced. You can find plans for reinforcing an interior room to provide better protection on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
Extend a helping hand:
Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt.
Tornado survival guide: Immediate actions for your safety
When a tornado strikes, taking swift action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential harm. Follow these guidelines from the NWS:
Stay informed:
Remain vigilant and stay updated by listening to local news broadcasts or a NOAA Weather Radio for tornado watches and warnings.
At home:
If you find yourself under a tornado warning while at home, head to your basement, a designated safe room, or an interior space away from windows. Ensure your pets are safe if time permits.
At work or school:
Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
Outdoors:
If you’re outdoors and a tornado is approaching, seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe. If there’s time, make your way to a secure structure.
In a vehicle:
Being in a vehicle during a tornado is highly unsafe. Your best option is to drive to the nearest shelter. If reaching shelter is not possible, either stay inside your car, covering your head, or abandon the vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.
Always keep in mind that taking swift action and following established safety procedures are crucial for your well-being when a tornado threat is imminent.
For more weather alerts in the Bay Area, visit Weather Advisories
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