With tornadoes in forecast, Durham students to learn remotely on Thursday

By Keely Arthur and Joe Fisher, WRAL reporters

After just three days in the classroom, elementary students in Durham Public Schools will return to learning remotely on Thursday. The cause is not the coronavirus pandemic, but the threat of severe weather.

The WRAL Severe Weather Center is calling for caution and awareness Thursday afternoon as a system with the potential for hail, high winds and some tornadoes makes its way through the state.

Durham was the first large school system to announce that buildings would be closed Thursday and learning would take place online. Other schools have followed suit. Some will close for the day while others will dismiss students before the worst of the storms is scheduled to arrive.

Level 4 risk: Dangerous, rare in central NC

All of central North Carolina is under a Level 4 risk for severe weather Thursday, with the potential for severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others.

Sometimes, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible. North Carolina averages 28 tornadoes, two tornado fatalities and 33 tornado injuries each year.

On April 16, 2011, North Carolina saw 30 confirmed tornadoes — the greatest one-day total for North Carolina on record.

On that day, 24 individuals lost their lives in North Carolina, and there were over 300 injuries reported in central North Carolina alone.

When atmospheric conditions are conducive for severe storms and/or tornadoes, the National Weather Service will issue a severe thunderstorm/tornado watch. When under a watch, you should remain alert for approaching storms, watch the sky, and stay tuned to WRAL and the WRAL Weather App.

When under a warning, you should take shelter immediately and turn on WRAL as our team of meteorologists will break down where that storm is and when it could impact you. Our WRAL Weather App has livesteaming capability so you can watch our coverage anytime from anywhere.

How to prepare and stay safe

The first step in making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather is by developing a family emergency and communications plan.

Things to consider when developing or reviewing your plan include:

• Power may go out. Be prepared with backup batteries for flashlights and cellphones, cash (ATMs and credit cards won’t work) and a full tank of gas.
• Know your safe place. The safest location is on a low floor, in a room without windows. Discuss with family members where you will shelter and where and when you will meet up if you get separated.
• Prepare your pets. Bring food, water and a favorite toy if you must seek shelter. Make sure large outdoor animals have a secure building to protect from them the elements. Beware that broken glass and storm debris can pose a danger to paws and hooves.
• Get storm alerts, even if you are asleep. WRAL WeatherCall and the WRAL Weather app will alert you with up-to-the-minute watches and warnings customized to your location.

You should also inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school, faith organizations, sports events and commuting.

WRAL’s team of meteorologists is committed to keeping you and your family safe this upcoming severe weather season. The WRAL Weather App is a powerful yet easy-to-use weather station for your phone. Get truly local forecasts from our team of meteorologists who know North Carolina’s weather inside and out.