The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for all of southwestern Suffolk County from Amityville to Patchogue until 10 p.m. this evening.
A Tornado Warning indicates a tornado or tornadic activity has been identified on radar by meteorologists and a tornado event could be imminent. This warning replaces the watch that has been in effect since earlier this afternoon.
NWS radar identified a storm cell at 9:32 p.m. that was capable of producing a tornado about 14 miles southwest of Gilgo Beach, moving at 55 miles per hour.
All residents in these areas should take all precautions and head for shelter.
What to Do In Case of a Tornado
In the case of a tornado, the National Weather Service suggests the following:
- The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement, or safe room.
- If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
- Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. Abandon mobile homes and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately.
- If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter:
- Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
- If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort:
- Stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
- If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car, and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
