Full Notification

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Bergen County effective through 10 PM tonight, Friday, July 1, 2016. A Tornado Watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that are capable of producing tornadoes.
Before a Tornado:
• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
• Make plans to secure your property
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down
• Look for the following danger signs:
o Dark, often greenish sky
o Large hail
o A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
o Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
o If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Tornado Facts
Quick facts you should know about tornadoes:
• They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
• Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
• Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
• Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
• Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 pm and 9 pm, but can occur at any time.
During a Tornado:
• If you are in a structure:
o Go to a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
o Do not open windows.
• If you are outside with no shelter:
o If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision. Possible actions include:
 Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and drive to the closet sturdy shelter. I your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
 Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
 Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the roadway and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
o In all situations:
 Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
 Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
 Watch for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
If you experience a power outage, please call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734.

Fair Lawn Emergency Management will continue to monitor this situation and issue updates as necessary.