Tornado and Derecho Risk UPDATE

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has expanded the area with the enhanced risk (yellow) of tornadoes. 

In addition to the enlargement of the enhanced risk area, the significant risk area (brown) has been expanded to included the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex. 

Across the nation, this is the current  tornado risk.

There is still an extreme risk (purple) of a derecho with winds of 75 mph or stronger in the hatched area. 

In the non-hatched area, wind gusts of 60-74 mph are forecasted to occur. 

And, here is the national damaging wind threat.

If you live in the yellow tornado or purple/red derecho areas, I urge you to consider and follow these suggestions:

• Call friends and relatives to make sure they are aware of the threat, especially if they live in a mobile home. 
• Make sure you have at least three ways of receiving storm warnings. 
• If you live in a mobile home, you may wish to move spend time with a friend or relative when a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch is issued. 
• Ask yourself what you would need if you were without electricity for five days. In some areas it will be longer, but five days is a good planning target.
• If you have a chain saw, fill it with fuel.
• Check your tornado shelter. Make sure it has a couple of bottles of water and, if appropriate, diapers.
• Any essential foods or medicines should be taken care of immediately, well before the storms arrive. 
• Have all of your devices charged but disconnect when you see the first lightning or hear the first thunder.
• Keep the kids in close communication. 
• Bring in lawn furniture, trampolines or anything else that can blow away. 
• Put the car in the garage. 

I'll update in the mid- to late afternoon. 

Additional suggestions from Liz Leitman at SPC:

• Pick any ripe tomatoes. 
• Do laundry in case of extended power failures (quite likely in a derecho)
• Battery-operated fans for the same reason (it will be quite hot the next few days)