NWS confirms tornado in Lynn Haven, near Panama City

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee confirmed that a tornado touched on the ground near Lynn Haven at 3:07 p.m.

The tornado traveled eastward at 15 miles per hour and was expected to reach Springfield around 3:15 p.m. and Callaway around 3:20 p.m.

The tornado was confirmed shortly after another tornado was confirmed on the ground southwest of Hosford, Florida.

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NWS Tallahassee issued a tornado warning at 2:46 p.m. and extended it to 3:45 p.m.

A special marine warning is also in effect and includes waters from Suwannee River to Apalachicola from 20 to 60 nautical miles, waters from Okaloosa-Walton County line to Mexico Beach from 20 to 60 nautical miles and waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola from 20 to 60 nautical miles until 6:15 p.m.

What is a tornado warning?

Tornado warnings are just that — a warning. NWS says that during tornado warnings, you should take action.

Tornado warnings are issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property, and anyone receiving a tornado warning should immediately move to the safest place in their surrounding area.

Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm. And unlike watches, tornado warnings are issued by your local forecast office.

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How do you stay safe in a tornado?

NWS provides a good list of tips to keep in mind to stay safe in a tornado.

• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, a basement or safe room.

• Avoid windows.

• If in a mobile home or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Sheds and storage facilities do not make safe shelter.

• If you’re at work or school, follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.

• If you’re in a vehicle, drive to the nearest shelter. If you don’t think you can make it, get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

How do you know when a tornado is coming?

The best ways to know if a tornado is coming is to regularly check forecasts, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio.

Communities will communicate warnings, so check your local government’s online resources to learn about how they send notifications and make sure you’re signed up for any weather alerts.

The Emergency Medical Services Authority provides a list of several atmospheric warning signs that could indicate a tornado is near.

• A dark, often greenish, sky

• Wall clouds or an approaching cloud of debris

• Large hail often in the absence of rain

• Before a tornado strikes, the wind may die down and the air may become very still

• A loud roar similar to a freight train may be heard

• An approaching cloud of debris, even if a funnel is not visible

How long does a tornado last?

NWS says that strong tornadoes can last up to 20 minutes or longer and can have winds of up to 200 miles per hour. Violent tornadoes can last up to an hour, with winds of up to between 200 and 300 mph.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Tornado confirmed near Panama City, FL, in Lynn Haven Thursday