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URGENT: Tornado Warning Issued for Alamance County – Take Cover Now
Tornado Warning for Alamance County: What You Need to Know Right Now
IMPORTANT ALERT
A tornado warning is active for Alamance County until 7:45 PM. Meteorologists have spotted rotation near Highway 62, and large hail that can damage cars is also possible. Take shelter immediately if you are in the warned area.
Current Situation
- What’s happening: A tornado warning has been issued for Alamance County, North Carolina.
- Until when: The warning lasts until 7:45 PM.
- What forecasters see: Rotation (spinning air) detected on radar near Highway 62.
- Bonus threat: Large hail that could dent vehicles or break windows is also in the area.
- Source: WXII 12 Meteorologist Dave Aiken and the National Weather Service.
Tornado Safety Tips: What to Do Right Now
KEY RULE: Get low, get inside, and put walls between you and the outside. Stay away from windows!
In a House or Public Building
- Go to the lowest level — basement is best.
- Pick a small interior room — closet, bathroom, or hallway with no windows.
- Protect your head and body:
- Use a mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, heavy coats, or blankets.
- Wear a bike or motorcycle helmet if you have one.
- Crouch low, cover your head with your hands.
In a Mobile Home
MOBILE HOMES ARE NOT SAFE DURING TORNADOES.
- Leave immediately — don’t wait.
- Go to the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter.
- If no shelter is nearby: Lie flat in a ditch, low spot, or culvert, covering your head with your hands.
- Leave early — don’t try to outrun the storm in your mobile home.
In an Apartment
- Get to the lowest floor — go to a neighbor’s first-floor unit if you can.
- No access to lower floor? Get in a bathtub or interior closet.
- On a high floor with no time to move? Crouch in the breezeway (indoor hallway) away from windows.
Caught Outdoors
- Run to the nearest sturdy building or basement.
- Can’t reach shelter fast? Get in a car, buckle up, and drive to shelter.
- NEVER hide under a bridge or overpass — wind gets faster and debris flies there.
Driving When the Storm Hits
- Pull over safely, keep seatbelt on, engine running.
- Duck below window level, cover head with hands + blanket/coat.
- If you can safely get lower than the road (like a ditch), exit car and lie flat, covering head.
- Best option always: Underground shelter or safe room.
Know the Terms: Watch vs. Warning
| Term | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado Watch | Conditions are right for tornadoes to form. Like having ingredients for a cake but no cake yet. | Stay alert. Review your safety plan. Watch the sky. Lasts 4–8 hours. |
| Tornado Warning | A tornado is happening or about to happen — seen on radar or by spotters. The cake is in the oven! | TAKE SHELTER NOW. Don’t wait. Lasts ~30 minutes. Can be issued without a Watch. |
REMEMBER:
Watch = "Watch out, be ready."
Warning = "Take action right now!"
How Does a Tornado Form? (Simple Version)
Think of it like a spinning top made of air:
- Warm, moist air rises from the ground (like hot air in a balloon).
- Cool, dry air sinks from above.
- Wind shear (winds at different speeds/directions at different heights) starts the air spinning horizontally.
- The rising air tilts the spin upright — now it’s a vertical funnel.
- If it touches the ground → TORNADO!
Want to see it in action? Check out the interactive video from WXII 12.
Report Power Outages
If the lights go out, call your provider right away:
| Company | Phone Number | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy | 1-800-769-3766 (1-800-POWERON) | Report Online |
| 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 | — |
Stay Connected with WXII 12
DOWNLOAD THE WXII 12 APP NOW — it works even if power goes out!
What you get:
- Real-time weather alerts for your exact location
- Live streaming video of storm coverage
- Updated forecasts & breaking news
- Live radar & SkyCams
- Traffic info & school/business closings
Share Storm Photos & Videos (Only When Safe!)
Wait until the danger is 100% over, then:
- Open the WXII 12 App
- Scroll to ULocal (or find it in the menu)
- Upload your photo/video + your name & location
Or post in the ULocal North Carolina Facebook Group:
Join & Share Here
Summary: Your 5-Step Action Plan Right Now
- SHELTER NOW — Lowest floor, interior room, no windows.
- PROTECT YOUR HEAD — Helmet, mattress, blankets, hands.
- STAY INFORMED — WXII 12 App, live radar, weather radio.
- DON’T DRIVE unless you’re fleeing to shelter — and never under bridges.
- REPORT OUTAGES — Call your power company if lights go out.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Q: What’s the difference between a Watch and a Warning again?
A: A Watch means "be ready — tornadoes could form." A Warning means "take cover NOW — a tornado is happening or imminent."
Q: I live in a mobile home. Where do I go?
A: Leave immediately for the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter. If none exists, lie flat in a ditch or low spot, covering your head. Mobile homes offer almost no protection.
Q: Can I just stay in my car if I’m driving?
A: Only as a last resort. Pull over, keep seatbelt on, duck below windows, cover head. Better: Drive to a sturdy building. Never park under an overpass.
Q: How will I know when it’s safe to come out?
A: Wait for official "all clear" from local authorities or the National Weather Service. Don’t go by the clock — storms can redevelop. The WXII 12 App will push alerts when the warning expires.
Q: What if I don’t have a basement or interior room?
A: Pick the smallest, most interior space on the lowest floor — even a bathtub with a mattress over you. In an apartment, the breezeway (indoor hallway) is better than your unit if you’re high up.
STAY SAFE, ALAMANCE COUNTY!
You’ve got the info. Now take action.
— Your WXII 12 Weather Team
