Tornado Watch for Loudoun Until 5 p.m. Oct. 7

A Tornado Watch has been called in Loudoun County until 5 p.m., county officials are urging residents to be ready to take action in the event of severe weather.

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Here’s what you should do, according to Loudoun officials: 

• Monitor information from the National Weather Service. If the tornado watch is escalated to a tornado warning, be prepared to take cover.
• The general rule for tornado safety is “go low and get low,” meaning go to the lowest level of the structure away from windows and crouch in a low position with your head covered.
• If you cannot move to a lower floor, go to an interior hallway away from windows.
• If you are caught outside when a tornado strikes, try to find shelter immediately in the nearest substantial building. If buildings are not close, take cover by lying down flat in a ditch or depression. Never attempt to seek shelter under an overpass.
• If you are in your vehicle, get out of the vehicle and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If shelter is not immediately available, lay flat in a ditch or depression and protect yourself from flying debris. 

For more information about preparing for tornados visit www.loudoun.gov/tornado.

Stay informed by:

• Signing up for alerts, including weather information, at www.loudoun.gov/alert.
• Following Loudoun County on Twitter at www.loudoun.gov/twitter; and on Facebook atwww.loudoun.gov/facebook. 
• Signing up for breaking alerts on Ashburn Patch or Leesburg Patch.