A lesson in tornado warnings/watches

Tornado watch: This means the conditions in your area are ripe for a tornado and expect severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail and tornadoes are on the way. Stay advised of the weather situation. Tornado warnings: For the most part means, they have determined there is low-level rotation in a wall cloud and/or someone has witnessed a funnel lowering from the wall cloud. Just because a tornado warning is in effect does not mean a tornado is on the ground. This confusion is what has spawned the generation of storm spotters and tornado data collection. For example, I was under tornado warnings Tuesday and Wednesday and I could see the wall cloud from my home, but the sirens never went off. Some places the sirens go off if a tornado warning is issued. In my particular area, they go off once a funnel cloud has been detected, which means a touchdown is imminent, but the nature of tornadoes is they could never touchdown. The sirens will often go off more after dark because you cannot monitor the rotation in person due to only lightning. Tornado Safety: Everyone needs to have a tornado safety plan. I don't care where you live, the conditions could be right for a tornado at any time. Go to the lowest level/central/most structurally sound part of your home or office with no windows. Tornado safety plan needs to include where you go when a warning is issued or the sirens are sounded, your flashlight, battery operated radio tuned to the news station and make sure you are dressed with shoes. If a tornado hits your home, you'll eventually need to leave and you'll regret not wearing actual clothes and shoes (especially at night and you were nekkid when the sirens went off). At an office this means go to the stairwell and go down to the lowest floor, as long as it doesn't have windows. The stairwell is the most reinforced area. If the stairwell has windows, go to the restroom. Do not ever use the elevator during a storm. Tornadoes are very scary, but it is no reason to panic. I've seen quite a few and even been directly underneath a funnel as it was lowering. Just be safe in your reaction. This has been brought to you by your friendly Oklahoma in the starting point of Tornado Alley.