SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: NWS TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9PM MONDAY AUGUST 7 - PLEASE STAY ALERT TO CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Montgomery County until 9:00 PM.

Be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued.  Tornadoes can form from severe thunderstorms with little or no advanced warning. Know your safe room in your home, at school, and at work.  If driving and a tornado is spotted, leave your car immediately and move to shelter or a low lying area. Do not use highway overpasses as shelters. Remain alert for the issuance of warnings.

The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement. Fit under a work bench or other piece of sturdy furniture. If no basement is available, seek shelter on the lowest floor in a hallway or closet. Use blankets or pillows to cover your body and always stay away from windows.  Evacuate mobile homes and vehicles immediately. Do not use highway overpasses as shelters. If no shelter is available, lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands.   Do not wait to hear or see a tornado before you take action. Tornadoes that form at night and those that are rain wrapped may not be visible. Seek safe shelter!

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The DMV area is at a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe storms late this afternoon into the evening. This is very rare. It is very important to pay attention to weather details today and have a way to receive storm warnings.  As more information is received it will be sent out.