Tornado Watch issued; City advises residents to stay alert, be prepared

A Tornado Watch has been issued for a number of areas in Western Canada including Saskatoon. The City wishes to remind residents that tornados can appear quickly and to be on alert. 

A Tornado Watch means keep an eye out for a possible tornado. A Tornado Warning means a tornado is either imminent or occurring.

Signs for a tornado can include:

• Severe thunderstorms, with frequent thunder and lightning.
• An extremely dark sky sometimes highlighted by green or yellow clouds.
• A rumbling or whistling sound.
• A funnel cloud often tucked behind a curtain of heavy rain or hail.

In addition to watching conditions yourself, it’s a good idea to be signed up for the following emergency notification systems: SaskAlert, WeatherCAN, and City of Saskatoon NotifyNow Emergency Alerts.

Environment Canada is responsible for informing the public when conditions exist that may produce tornadoes. It does this through radio, television, newspapers. Please keep an eye on these or other reliable sources of information.

How to prepare:

• Store or anchor loose objects like patio furniture and outdoor toys.
• Store garbage and recycling carts as soon as possible after collections.
• Plan to stay off the roads if possible. Extreme winds can contribute to loss of vehicle control, or even overturning of vehicles.
• Beware of fallen branches, trees, or power lines. If you encounter a fallen power line, stay clear of it, and please report it immediately.
• Be prepared for the possibility of a power outage and have emergency supplies on-hand including flashlights, batteries, activities, and food.
• Make sure your pets are safe inside.
• Keep devices charged so you don’t lose communication during an outage.
• When experiencing extreme wind, go to the basement or lowest level of your living space and stay away from windows.

For more information on tornado preparedness, please visit GetPrepared.ca.