Under a tornado warning? Volusia County offers tips for staying safe

Brenno Carillo, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read
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DAYTONA BEACH — After a night of severe thunderstorms and even a tornado warning Thursday in Volusia County, the National Weather Service is forecasting more unfavorable weather for the next few days.

“Scattered to numerous showers and lightning storms are expected to develop over the Florida peninsula late this morning and move toward the east or southeast this afternoon and interact with the east coast sea breeze near the coast,” according to the service’s forecast for Friday.

Robert Haley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, said Friday afternoon that the rest of the day would not be as severe as originally expected, with the potential for storm development "on the downward trend."

"We have got high clouds that have been over Florida for a large part of the day," Haley said. "Those have kept things from warming up ... so those high clouds have limited the sunshine moving in."

More weather: Severe weather prompts tornado warning in Volusia County, no touch down reported

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Saturday will be a different story, Haley said.

"We are looking at another day for strong to severe thunderstorms, with local wind of up to 60 mph and large hail, at least 1-inch, possibly larger," Haley said.

He also said that brief tornadoes along coastal towns cannot be ruled out for the weekend.

“Ponding water will be an increasing hazard through this period, as rounds of rainfall accumulate each day," the forecast added.

What to do under a tornado warning

Thursday’s tornado warning for southeastern Seminole and south central Volusia counties ended just before 7 p.m.

While the National Weather Service hasn’t issued another warning or forecasted the possibility for one later today so far, this kind of weather could cause a tornado in the future.

Here is what to do under a tornado warning, according to Volusia County government:

  • Move to a predesignated "safe area" in your home.

  • Stay away from windows and move to an interior room.

  • Stop your vehicle and find shelter. Don't try to outrun a storm in your car.

  • If you are outside, seek shelter in a nearby ditch or depression.

  • Evacuate mobile homes because they offer no protection from winds.

The county also encourages residents to plan ahead for storms: “Know what you will do and where you will go if threatened by a tornado.”

Officials also advise residents to:

  • Keep a map nearby so you can track the movement of the storm from weather bulletins.

  • If planning a trip outdoors, listen for the latest forecasts and take necessary actions if severe weather threatens.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: More rain expected in Volusia after night of storms. tornado warning