On Wednesday, much of Hampton Roads was under a tornado watch at some point. Knowing the meaning of different alerts is essential.

We’re entering severe weather season—and in the Four States, that can mean tornadoes. The rapidly spinning, violent columns of air rise from the ground to the cloud base. The National Weather Service issues three kinds of messages for tornadoes: Emergency management specialists say the key to staying safe is planning ahead of

As tornado season nears, learn essential safety tips and prepare for severe weather. Understand the differences between watches, warnings and emergencies, and know how to respond in each situation.