4Warn Weather – Severe weather is a possibility for all of southeast Michigan on Wednesday, and that includes tornadoes.
There is a 10% or greater probability of seeing tornadic activity in the area, according to the Storm Prediction Center. The timeframe for these thunderstorms is looking to be between noon and 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to the 4Warn Weather team, there is a 10% or greater probability of seeing 2″ diameter hail within 25 miles of a point on the map. Golf ball size hails is 1.75″ in diameter. Hen egg-size hail is 2.0″ in diameter, so this is some hail that can do some damage if it falls.
Below are some tips from the state and the CDC on the differences between a watch and a warning and where to go and what to do during a tornado.
The difference between a tornado watch vs. a warning
- A Tornado Watch means that tornadoes are possible. It is important to remain alert for changing weather conditions and approaching storms. Be ready to take shelter immediately.
- A Tornado Warning is an urgent announcement that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. It would be best if you took shelter immediately.
You can also check out the interactive radar below.
Where should you go during a tornado warning?
- House
- Go to the basement or lowest level of your home and avoid windows.
- Get under sturdy objects like tables or workbenches and cover up with blankets for more protection.
- If you don’t have a basement, go to an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet.
- Avoid taking shelter where heavy objects are on the floor directly above you. Heavy objects like refrigerators or pianos could fall through the floor if the tornado strikes your house.
- Mobile Home
- Mobile homes cannot hold up to tornado winds. It is best to find a nearby building you can go to for shelter.
- If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert and shield your head with your hands.
- Driving
- Vehicles are not safe against tornado winds. Never stay in or under a car during a tornado. If a tornado occurs while driving, stop and find a nearby building to take shelter in or seek low-lying ground.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle.
- Stay away from highway overpasses and bridges.
- Outside
- If you cannot get to a sturdy building, find a low-lying area, like a ditch, and cover your head with an object or your arms. Avoid places with trees since they can cause more dangerous debris or fall on top of you.
- Work/School
- Make sure you and your family know the tornado shelter plans at your work and school(s) and that these plans are regularly practiced.
- Stay away from windows and don’t go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gyms, or auditoriums.
- Get to the lowest level of the building (the basement, if possible).
The CDC has a few tips if a tornado is headed your way and you have functional needs.
If you are in a wheelchair, avoid windows and get to an interior room. Cover your head with anything available, even your hands. If you cannot move from a bed or a chair, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with being.
If you can, check and restock your emergency supply kit.
Live radar: Monitoring potentially severe storms Tuesday, Wednesday in Metro Detroit
What to do after a tornado, according to the CDC
- Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Get medical assistance immediately.
- If someone has stopped breathing, begin CPR if you are trained to do so.
- CPR training resource guide: Why it’s important, how it works, how to get trained
- Do not enter a damaged building until local authorities determine it is safe. Tornadoes can damage structures and make them unsafe.
- Leave your home or building if you hear shifting or unusual noises. Strange noises could mean the building is about to fall.
- If you see structural damage, like cracks in the foundation or missing support beams, you may need to relocate to a shelter or another safe location.
- If you smell gas or see a broken line, shut off the main valve from the outside.
- Stay clear of fallen power lines.
- Never use portable gasoline or coal-burning equipment or camp stoves inside your home, basement, or garage. Keep it outside and at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
- Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color, or texture.
Below is a checklist from the American Red Cross when you are in the area of a tornadic zone:
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