UPDATE: Hillsborough and Rougemont in Orange County are under a tornado warning through at least 9 p.m., says the National Weather Service.

Below is our original story.

Central and southern Orange County is under a tornado warning until at least 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 7:02 p.m., including Orange County alongside much of Alamance County and parts of Chatham and Durham counties. The Orange County government issued an alert through its OC Alerts system to residents, as did UNC to the campus community through Alert Carolina. The region is also under a severe thunderstorm warning through 9:45 p.m.

With the severe weather conditions, the weather service’s station in Raleigh also warned of the potential for high winds, nickel-sized hail and heavy rain.

Best Practices and Preparation for Tornadoes, Power Outages

If a tornado develops near you, expert recommendations are to go to a safe location you have previously identified — typically one that is away from windows and closer to the ground. Protect yourself by having an emergency supplies kit, covering your head and neck with your arms, or putting materials like furniture and blankets around you. If you are in a vehicle when you see a tornado and you cannot escape its path, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on and duck your body as low as possible into the seat. Avoid seeking shelter or driving under bridges.

Orange County recommends Orange County residents sign up for OC Alerts to receive updates on tornado watches and warnings, as well as other emergency alerts throughout the year. More local emergency preparedness tips can be found on the county government’s Ready Orange website. Additionally, the Town of Chapel Hill provides alerts and road closures on its Emergency Updates webpage, and the national Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio provide alerts related to severe weather.

The high winds could also create power outages from fallen trees or branches on power lines. For Duke Energy customers who experience a power outage, the energy provider recommends reporting it through the Duke Energy app, filling out this form online, texting OUT to 57801, or calling 800-419-6356. Piedmont Electric outages can be reported by texting “#out” or calling 1-800-222-3107, as well as logging into SmartHub and going to “Report an Issue.”

Ready.gov has a guide to being prepared for and staying safe during power outages which can be found here. Additional tips and resources can be found on the American Red Cross’ power outage guide. Some key tips from Ready.gov include:
  • Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
  • Use a generator, but only outdoors and away from windows.
  • Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. It increases your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Using an oven or stovetop can also increase the risk of fires, burns and could damage the appliance.
  • Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
  • Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
  • Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you.

 

Featured photo via Tanya Gorelova.

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