Cherokee County Alerts

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Current Watches

 

Review of Severe Weather Safety

Watch=conditions are favorable for severe weather to form, stay informed

Warning=severe weather has been spotted in your area, take immediate action

Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK for regional areas.

Warnings are issued by your local National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office for county-sized areas.  Our local office is in Tulsa, OK.

• If a watch is issued, be sure you have your severe weather safety kit with you.  More info at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family 
• Also make sure that your severe weather safety location is ready to be used. 
• Have at least 3 ways to receive weather information, which can include a battery-powered radio, cell phone, & NOAA weather radio. 
• Sign up for our free mobile text alerts & you can get severe weather warnings for your county sent straight to your mobile device or email as soon as they are issued.  The service is free & we won't spam you or use your info for anything else (however, standard text messaging rates do apply).

 

• If you do not have a basement, get to the lowest level of your house and into an small interior room with as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
• Stay away from windows & doors.
• If possible, cover up with a heavy blanket, pillows, sleeping bags or even a small mattress.
• Abandon mobile homes before a warning is issued for a safer structure.

We have 1 Cherokee County Emergency Management approved storm shelter at the NSU (Northeastern State University) Union Center Basement.

There is another storm shelter in Hulbert behind the firestation.

If severe weather threatens your area and you do not have a basement or safe room to go to at either your house or a friend or relative's house, please consider using these as an alternative.

For more information, contact the Cherokee County Emergency Management at 918-456-2489.

You can also contact your local fire department for additional information.

 

From the NWS Tulsa:

Here are some safety rules to keep in mind when severe weather is expected or is occurring.

Before severe weather strikes…ensure that you and your family are fully prepared. in a home or building have a pre-designated shelter… such as a basement or an interior room or hallway. have on hand a disaster supply kit…including a NOAA weather radio…flashlight…radio and a good supply of batteries.

If a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued…seek shelter indoors immediately. a severe thunderstorm is defined as producing quarter size or greater hail and wind gusts of 58 mph or more. in extreme cases…severe thunderstorms can produce winds to near 150 mph and hail larger than grapefruits which can cause extensive property damage. tornadoes often form very rapidly from severe thunderstorms.

If you are in a tornado watch…and a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your area…monitor local conditions closely and be ready to take quick action to save your life. remember that lightning is a thunderstorms most underrated killer. postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. this is the best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation. automobiles offer good protection from lightning…although moving indoors is best. even inside…lighting can kill by coming through the phone lines…plumbing and electric lines. therefore do not use computers…telephones or other hand held appliances during a storm. stay tuned to NOAA weather radio…commercial radio or television for the latest on this developing severe weather event. additional weather information…including related graphics can be found at weather.gov/tulsa.