What To Do When You Get Tornado Watch, Warning Alerts In NJ

NEW JERSEY — With storm season in full swing in the Garden State, many residents have received emergency alerts from local authorities notifying them of inclement weather.

Electronic devices that run iPhone or Android operating systems have the option to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which are an essential part of United States emergency preparedness, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

WEA is a public safety system that allows customers who own compatible mobile devices to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. Tornado warnings are only one of a few types of weather warnings that trigger emergency phone alerts from the national WEA system.

However, for some, it may not be immediately clear what different notifications mean, and what to do upon receipt.

Tornado watch

A tornado watch means a tornado is possible, based on nearby weather patterns, the National Weather Service says.

A watch is declared if "atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms potentially capable of producing tornadoes."

During a watch, which usually covers a large territory, a tornado is not yet formed, and is not an immediate threat.

If you get an alert for a tornado watch, continue to monitor the situation carefully, and be prepared to act if conditions continue to deteriorate.

Tornado warning

A warning, conversely, means that a tornado actually has formed.

"A severe thunderstorm has developed and has either produced a tornado based on reports or radar has indicated intense low level rotation in the presence of atmospheric conditions conducive to tornado development," the National Weather Service said.

During a warning, which typically covers a small area where the tornado is likely to hit, residents should take immediate action.

If you are inside, stay away from windows, and avoid large open rooms like cafeterias, gyms, or auditoriums, officials say.

If outdoors, seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building. Do not trust smaller structures like sheds, tents, storage facilities, or mobile homes.

How to enable/disable alerts

Apple (IOS)

1. Find the settings application -> tap on notifications
2. Scroll to the bottom -> turn on Emergency Alerts if not already on

Android

1. Find the settings application -> tap on Apps & Notifications
2. Find Emergency Alerts and tap to confirm these alerts are turned on

When severe weather is reported within your current location, your mobile device will vibrate and play a loud emergency tone-based noise for your location — briefing you on the latest advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Kimberlee Bongard and Justin Heinze