Right now, Cherokee County is in an Enhanced Risk Area for 1:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Sunday with the threat of Strong Tornadoes, Damaging Winds up to 70 mph and Quarter sized hail.

We want to stress that NOW is the time to make sure your family has an emergency plan in place. Know where to go, those places include the lowest interior room of your home away from windows or your basement. Top floors DO NOT protect you, Exterior rooms and rooms with windows DO NOT protect you and most importantly, NO place outside is safe from a Tornado.

Be sure you have a battery powered radio, flashlights and batteries in the event of a power outage.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, download our free mobile app, sign up for free code red alerts, have a working weather radio with extra batteries. Make sure you have a battery powered radio tuned to WEIS Radio, you can also sign up for free weather text alerts from WEIS by texting WEATHER1 to 77000 and you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

All available storm shelters WILL be open and available when they are needed.

Certainly, wherever you choose to shelter from a tornado, you should use as many precautions as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19 the best you can. If you rely on public community shelters, you will need to bring a protective mask and hand sanitizer with you. The protective mask should be worn at all times while you’re inside the community shelter and hand sanitizer should be used often.

Our recommendation is that you protect yourself and your family from the greatest threat and in this situation the greatest threat is a Tornado.