Tornado Watch and Guidance
TORNADO WATCH REMAINS VALID UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON: SUNDAY, 12/29/24
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 AM EST FOR WESTERN CATAWBA, EAST CENTRAL MCDOWELL, NORTHEASTERN
RUTHERFORD, LINCOLN, SOUTHERN CALDWELL, CLEVELAND, GASTON, BURKE
AND NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES.
At 853 AM EST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 8 miles northwest of Morganton to 15 miles southwest of Hickory to 4 miles northeast of Shelby to 9 miles northeast of Gaffney, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 PM EST for western and
the Piedmont of North Carolina...and Upstate South Carolina.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
WHAT TO DO DURING A TORNADO:
The National Weather Service has identified what you can do when a tornado strikes. Acting quickly is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts.
Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.
At Your Workplace 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.
Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.
In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
