**Tornado Watch Issued for Several Northeast Ohio Counties: Stay Alert and Prepared**

Situation Summary

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a tornado watch for several counties in northeast Ohio, including:

• Ashtabula
• Cuyahoga
• Geauga
• Lake
• Lorain
• Medina
• Portage
• Summit
• Trumbull

The watch is in effect until [enter time].

What to Do During a Tornado Watch

A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It's important to stay alert, monitor weather updates, and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued.

• Stay informed: Listen to local radio or TV stations for updates. Monitor the NWS website or social media accounts for official information.
• Prepare an emergency plan: Identify a safe place to shelter in each room of your home or building. This could be a basement, interior room, or bathroom without windows.
• Gather essential supplies: Pack an emergency kit with water, food, first-aid supplies, medications, and important documents.
• Stay away from windows: If a tornado is approaching, move away from windows and exterior walls.

What to Do During a Tornado Warning

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar. Take immediate shelter:

• Seek underground: If possible, go to a basement or underground storm shelter.
• Interior room: If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of your home or building.
• Away from windows: Move away from windows and exterior walls.
• Protect your head: Cover your head and neck with a blanket, pillow, or other object.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not stay in a mobile home: These structures are not safe from tornadoes.
• Do not drive into a tornado: If you encounter a tornado while driving, pull over to the side of the road and seek shelter in a ditch or low-lying area.
• Do not go outside: Stay indoors until the tornado has passed.

Tornado Safety Statistics

• According to the NWS, there were an average of 1,238 tornadoes reported in the United States each year between 2010 and 2020.
• About 70% of tornadoes occur between the months of April and June.
• The deadliest tornado in U.S. history was the Tri-State Tornado, which killed 695 people in 1925.

Table 1: Tornado Safety Checklist

Table 2: Tornado Safety Strategies

Table 3: Common Tornado Misconceptions

Call to Action

Stay alert, monitor weather updates, and be prepared to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued. By following these safety guidelines, you can significantly reduce your risk of injury or death during a tornado.