Tornado Watch (Alexandria, Springfield, Washington: condo, hotel, college)

[Flamingo13]

My NOAA radio just came on w/an alert that there is a Tornado Watch in effect until 8 p.m. for the entire area. Secure your outdoor items just in case.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

My NOAA radio just came on w/an alert that there is a Tornado Watch in effect until 8 p.m. for the entire area. Secure your outdoor items just in case.

I heard about that out here in KY. If you live in a condo high-rise be prepared to go either to the bottom floor or just somewhere without windows like a main stairwell. Had an actual tornado warning a couple of weeks ago out here and that's what we were made to do in my hotel.

[smithy77]

The Washington area made a big mistake when it got rid of its C.D. sirens some years ago. There have been killer tornadoes in the area since I've lived here and absolutely no way of knowing this unless you're glued to a T.V. news channel or the few radio stations that bother to warn people. I think these deaths could have been prevented if the sirens were still functional. I think people in the area have a lackadasical attitude about tornado watches and warnings. I grew up in Omaha and I can't believe the lack of education and warning (regarding tornadoes) that exists here. These things are real; not just some show on the Discovery Channel.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by smithy77

There have been killer tornadoes in the area since I've lived here and absolutely no way of knowing this unless you're glued to a T.V. news channel or the few radio stations that bother to warn people.

Not true. If a tornado is going to actually touch down in the area, the Emergency Broadcast System would kick in and anyone paying attention to any TV, radio, or cable station would know it.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by pcity

Not true. If a tornado is going to actually touch down in the area, the Emergency Broadcast System would kick in and anyone paying attention to any TV, radio, or cable station would know it.

But what if you don't any of the three at that time?

[smithy77]

Originally Posted by pcity

Not true. If a tornado is going to actually touch down in the area, the Emergency Broadcast System would kick in and anyone paying attention to any TV, radio, or cable station would know it.

Is true. I've lived here for 30 years and, to my knowledge, I've only experienced the Emergency Broadcast System kick in once. The incident that comes to mind is the supercell that made its way up I-95 in Virginia in the mid-1990's, crossed over the District and touched down at the U of Md. in College Park, killing 2 students. I was off that afternoon and was glued to the TV. I couldn't believe the local weather people. They were brushing this off as some sort of novelty, and they actually broke away after a few minutes to continue with the regularly scheduled broadcast (Oprah). Unreal. I'll never forget the utter lack of concern on the part of the media as they were (very briefly) reporting a rotating cloud over I-95 in Springfield (luckily it didn't touch down). No emergency broadcast system kicked in, no sirens, forget radio---they dropped the ball long ago. This is one of about 4 or 5 incidents that I can remember. I still think that CD sirens are the most effective. Unless you are deaf, everyone hears them.

[Hesky]

Well, I do have to admit I didn't know this area was susceptible to tornado activity and I would have no idea of what to do in such an event. I've been here three years, and I have to say I'm completely uneducated in that area, as, I'm sure, are many other residents in the greater DC region.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by smithy77

Is true. I've lived here for 30 years and, to my knowledge, I've only experienced the Emergency Broadcast System kick in once. The incident that comes to mind is the supercell that made its way up I-95 in Virginia in the mid-1990's, crossed over the District and touched down at the U of Md. in College Park, killing 2 students. I was off that afternoon and was glued to the TV. I couldn't believe the local weather people. They were brushing this off as some sort of novelty, and they actually broke away after a few minutes to continue with the regularly scheduled broadcast (Oprah). Unreal. I'll never forget the utter lack of concern on the part of the media as they were (very briefly) reporting a rotating cloud over I-95 in Springfield (luckily it didn't touch down). No emergency broadcast system kicked in, no sirens, forget radio---they dropped the ball long ago. This is one of about 4 or 5 incidents that I can remember. I still think that CD sirens are the most effective. Unless you are deaf, everyone hears them.

I'm deaf, and I was in College Park that day. That was a bad one. I was about a mile from where it touched down. The sirens would not have help me, but I do agree with what you are saying.

[Flamingo13]

Severe Weather advisories from WeatherBug.com

[venture2000]

I seem to recall there was also a bad tornado some years ago- I think in La Plata MD- in 2002.