From Washington County Minnesota Emergency Management at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6:
There is currently a Tornado Watch for Washington County. Please keep an eye on the weather and take appropriate actions if necessary!
There is a tornado watch until 9 p.m. tonight through much of central and southern Minnesota - including Washington County. This means conditions are ripe for isolated thunderstorms capable of large hail and a few tornadoes. The best chance of potentially damaging straight-line winds and isolated tornadoes is between 6 PM and 8 PM this evening in Minneapolis/St. Paul and suburbs.
An underground area, such as a basement or storm cellar, provides the best protection from a tornado. If an underground shelter is unavailable, consider the following:
• Seek a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible
• Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls
• Stay in the center of the room, and avoid corners because they attract debris
• Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block with no windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead
• Avoid auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.