Tornado Watch, Flash Flood Warning Issued for Prince William County

Update 10:33 p.m. Friday:

Tornado watch has been canceled for PWC. 

Update 8:22 p.m. Friday:

PWC is under a tornado watch until 2 a.m. Saturday morning. 

Update 5:36 p.m. Friday: 

The tornado warning has been canceled for PWC. We're under a new flash flood warning until 8:30 p.m. Friday. 

Update 5:34 p.m. Friday: 

Prince William County police said citizens reported a funnel cloud in the area of Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road

A tornado warning has been issued for central Prince William County. The thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is six miles west of Lake Ridge. 

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued until 5:30 p.m. Expect these sorts of wave thunderstorm warnings to expire and be re-issued throughout the rest of the evening. 

Update 4:24 p.m. Friday:

Western PWC is under a flash flood warning until 7:15 p.m. 

Update 3:46 p.m. Friday: 

Prince William County is under a flash flood watch until midnight Friday. Flash flooding conditions could develop under the watch. For tips to avoid catastrophe on the roadways, check out these tips from the

Original Post: 

The National Weather Services has issued a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning for the Prince William County. A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible.

A tornado watch is set to expire at 9 p.m. Friday, while the severe thunderstorm warning for the county expires at 2:30 p.m. 

Here are some safety tips and cautionary information from the Tornado Project:

• If you see a tornado and it is not moving to the right or to the left relative to trees or power poles in the distance, it may be moving towards you.
• Remember that although tornadoes usually move from southwest to northeast, they also move towards the east, the southeast, the north, and even northwest.
• Encourage your family members to plan for their own safety in many different locations. It is important to make decisions about the safest places wellbefore you ever have to go to them. 
• The Red Cross suggests that you assemble a "disaster supplies kit" that you keep in your shelter area.
• One of the most important things you can do to prevent being injured in a tornado is to be alert to the onset of severe weather. Most deaths and injuries happen to people who are unaware and uninformed. Young children or the mentally challenged may not recognize a dangerous situation. The ill, elderly, or invalid may not be able to reach shelter in time. Those who ignore the weather because of indifference or overconfidence may not perceive the danger.

Best places for shelter if at home or in a smaller building:

• In a basement, away from the west and south walls. Hiding under a heavy work-table or under the stairs will protect the family from crumbling walls, chimneys, and large airborne debris falling into the cellar. 
• Old blankets, quilts and an unused mattress will protect against flying debris, but they should be stored in the shelter area. Precious time can be lost by trying to find these items at the last minute.
• In a small, windowless, first floor, interior room like a closet or bathroom. The bathtub and commode are anchored directly into the ground, and sometimes are the only thing left in place after the tornado. Getting into the bathtub with a couch cushion over you gives you protection on all sides, as well as an extra anchor to the foundation. Plumbing pipes may or may not help hold the walls together, but all the extra framing that it takes to put a bathroom together may make a big difference.
•  If there is no downstairs bathroom and the closets are all packed with "stuff," a hall may be the best shelter. Put as many walls as you can between yourself and the tornado. In a pinch, put a metal trash over as much of you as you can. It will keep some flying debris from injuring you. Even that may make the difference between life and death.

______

Get daily and breaking news email updates from Woodbridge Patch by signing up for the free Patch newsletter. Learn more here.