By Angela Hatton
Paducah, KY – The National Weather Service has put the region under high risk for severe weather. NWS forecasters predict two or three distinct storm systems will hit the region until late tonight. Meteorologist Dan Spath.
"Within this severe weather risk, there is a very high likelihood of strong tornadoes. That's an EF2 or greater on the enhanced Fujita scale. In addition, very large, destructive hail, two inches in diameter or greater. That's larger than a golf ball, we're talking baseballs to softballs here. And with time, going into this evening, damaging winds will become more of a concern from the Evansville tri-state area down through much of west Kentucky."
Calloway County Emergency Management Director Bill Call says the best place to be in a tornado is a basement or other underground structure. If those aren't available, find an interior wall away from glass. Call says people should leave mobile homes ahead of a tornado. If you're out driving, Call says it's hard to outrun a tornado.
"If you're in a city street where you've got cross streets, go at right angles to the approach to try to escape it best you can. National Weather Service advises not to hide under overpasses. Cause you actually get a funneling effect of wind in an overpass that makes the velocity higher. Sheltering in a ditch is sometimes recommended or get off and find a substantial structure."
Emergency officials recommend reviewing safety plans ahead of severe weather. Listen to a weather radio for updates on storm information in your area. More emergency planning information is at The Front Blog.