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TORNADO WARNING: Alamance County Under Threat Right Now
Tornado Warning Issued for Alamance County: What You Need to Know Right Now
IMPORTANT ALERT
A tornado warning is active for Alamance County until 7:45 p.m. Meteorologists have detected rotation (spinning air) near Highway 62. Large hail that can damage cars is also possible. Take shelter immediately if you are in the warned area.
Current Weather Situation
- What’s happening: A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted by radar or trained weather spotters. This is not a drill.
- Where: Alamance County, North Carolina — rotation detected around Highway 62.
- When: Warning expires at 7:45 p.m. (but could be extended).
- Extra threat: Hail large enough to dent cars and break windows is also in the area.
- Source: WXII 12 Meteorologist Dave Aiken and the National Weather Service.
RIGHT NOW: TAKE ACTION
If you are in Alamance County, go to your safe place immediately. Do not wait to see the tornado.
Tornado Safety Tips: Where to Go & What to Do
From the National Weather Service and American Red Cross
The Golden Rules (Apply Everywhere)
- Get LOW — Go underground (basement) or to the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
- Put WALLS between you and outside — Interior rooms with no windows are best.
- Protect your HEAD — Use helmets, pillows, mattresses, blankets, or your arms.
In a House or Public Building (School, Store, Church, etc.)
- Go to the basement — Best option.
- No basement? Go to a small interior room on the lowest floor:
- Bathroom
- Closet
- Interior hallway
- Cover up — Get under a sturdy table or cover yourself with a mattress, sleeping bags, heavy coats, or blankets.
- Wear a helmet — Bike, motorcycle, or sports helmets work great for head protection.
- Stay away from windows! — Flying glass is deadly.
In a Mobile Home
MOBILE HOMES ARE NOT SAFE DURING TORNADOES — EVEN IF TIED DOWN.
- LEAVE IMMEDIATELY — Do not wait.
- Go to the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter — Plan this before storms arrive.
- No shelter nearby? Lie flat in a ditch, low spot, or culvert — cover your head with your hands.
- Leave early — Don’t try to outrun the storm in your car if it’s close.
In an Apartment
- Get to the lowest floor — Go to a neighbor’s first-floor apartment if you can.
- No access to lower floor? Get in a bathtub or interior closet — put a mattress or cushions over you.
- On a high floor with no time to move? Shelter in the interior breezeway/hallway — as far from windows as possible.
Caught Outdoors
- Find a sturdy building or storm shelter fast.
- Can’t reach shelter quickly? Get in a vehicle, buckle up, and drive to the nearest sturdy shelter.
- NEVER shelter under a bridge or highway overpass — Wind speeds up there and debris flies through.
Driving When the Tornado Hits
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| You see a tornado far away | Drive at right angles (90°) to its path to escape. |
| Tornado is close / debris flying | Pull over, park, keep seatbelt ON, engine RUNNING. |
| In the car | Duck below window level, cover head with hands + blanket/coat. |
| You can safely get LOWER than the road (like a deep ditch) | Exit car, lie flat in low spot, cover head. Only do this if you can get there safely. |
| Best option always | Underground shelter, basement, or FEMA safe room. |
YOUR CHOICE DEPENDS ON YOUR EXACT SITUATION — The safest place is always underground or in a certified safe room. If you’re in a car, staying buckled low is usually safer than being in the open — but a deep ditch can be better if you can reach it quickly and safely.
Know the Terms: Watch vs. Warning
| Term | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| TORNADO WATCH | Conditions are right for tornadoes to form. Like "ingredients are in the kitchen." | Be ready. Know your safe place. Keep phone charged. Watch the sky & alerts. Usually lasts 4–8 hours. |
| TORNADO WARNING | A tornado IS happening — seen on radar or by spotters. Like "the cake is in the oven." | TAKE SHELTER NOW. Do not wait. Usually lasts ~30 minutes. Can be issued without a Watch. |
ELI5 Analogy:
- Watch = "We’re baking cookies — they might burn." → Stay alert.
- Warning = "The cookies are burning RIGHT NOW!" → Take action!
How Does a Tornado Form?
Watch this short video for a simple, visual explanation:
[How Tornadoes Form – Interactive Video] (Link provided by WXII 12)
In simple terms:
Tornadoes form inside strong thunderstorms when:
- Warm, moist air rises fast (like a hot air balloon).
- Wind shear (winds changing speed/direction with height) makes the rising air spin horizontally.
- The storm’s updraft tilts that spin vertical — now it’s a rotating column.
- If it stretches down to the ground → TORNADO.
Report Power Outages
If the power goes out, call your provider right away:
| Provider | Phone Number | Online Reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy | 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766) | duke-energy.com/outages |
| Duke Energy Progress | 1-800-419-6356 | |
| Energy United | 1-800-386-4833 | |
| NC Electrical Cooperatives | 1-888-411-7870 | |
| Randolph Electric | 1-877-736-2633 | |
| Piedmont Electric | 1-800-449-2667 | |
| City of Lexington Electric | 336-248-2337 | |
| City of High Point Electric | 336-883-3111 | |
| Surry-Yadkin Electric | 336-356-8241 |
Pro Tip: Save your provider’s number in your phone now — before you need it.
Stay Connected: Get Alerts Even If Power Fails
| Tool | Why It Helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| WXII 12 Mobile App | Works on cell data — get alerts, live radar, streaming video, forecasts | Download Here |
| Custom Weather Alerts | Only get alerts for your address — no spam | Sign Up |
| Live Radar | See storms in real time on a map | View Radar |
| Live Skycams | Watch the sky from cameras across the area | View Skycams |
Share Your Storm Photos & Videos (When Safe!)
Only after the danger passes, help your community by sharing:
Via WXII 12 App (ULocal)
- Open the WXII 12 App
- Scroll to ULocal (or find in menu)
- Upload photo/video + your name & location
Via Facebook
- Join & post in: ULocal North Carolina Facebook Group
SAFETY FIRST: Never take pictures/video during a warning. Wait for the All Clear.
Summary: Your 5-Step Action Plan Right Now
- SHELTER NOW — Lowest floor, interior room, no windows, cover head.
- GRAB ESSENTIALS — Phone (charged), flashlight, water, helmet, shoes.
- STAY INFORMED — WXII 12 App, NOAA Weather Radio, local alerts.
- WAIT FOR ALL CLEAR — Don’t come out until official notice.
- CHECK ON OTHERS — Neighbors, family, pets — then report damage safely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What’s the difference between a Watch and a Warning again?
A Watch means "be ready — tornadoes could form." A Warning means "take cover NOW — a tornado is happening or imminent." Think: Watch = "Cookies might burn." Warning = "Cookies ARE burning!"
2. I live in a mobile home. There’s no shelter nearby. What do I do?
Leave early — before the storm arrives — and go to a sturdy building (friend’s house, community center, store). If you’re caught with no time, lie flat in a ditch or low spot, cover your head. Mobile homes cannot protect you.
3. Should I open windows to "equalize pressure"?
NO! That’s a myth. Opening windows wastes time and lets in debris. Stay away from windows entirely.
4. Is a highway overpass a good shelter?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Wind speeds increase under overpasses, and flying debris turns them into wind tunnels. People have died there. Never shelter under a bridge.
5. How will I know when it’s safe to come out?
Wait for an official "All Clear" from:
- National Weather Service
- Local emergency management
- WXII 12 meteorologists on app/TV
- NOAA Weather Radio
Do not rely on the warning expiration time — storms can extend or redevelop.
Quick Links for Right Now
- Active Alerts: WXII 12 Alerts Page
- Custom Alerts Sign-Up: Subscribe Here
- Live Radar: Watch Storms Move
- Live Skycams: See Conditions Now
- Download WXII 12 App: Get It Here
- Full Forecast & Closings: WXII Weather Hub
REMEMBER: You can survive a tornado — if you act fast and know where to go.
Share this with everyone you know in Alamance County. Stay safe. Stay low. Stay alert.
