Memphis, Tennessee — The American Red Cross encourages all Tennessee residents to prepare for the severe weather and increased risk of tornadoes that may occur on Friday. They remind everyone to stay aware of the weather and listen to local news and even NOAA weather radio to get the latest news.

The risk of severe weather increases from Friday night to early Saturday morning. The actual development of the storm will move very fast and is expected to exceed 60 mph. If a warning is issued, residents will not have much time to react. It’s important to turn on your phone and turn off the "Do Not Disturb" feature in order to receive weather alerts.

According to the American Red Cross, you can take the following steps to protect the safety of you and your loved ones:

• If you can hear thunder, you are very close to lightning. If thunder is roaring, please go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.

• If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, evacuate in a sturdy building or a vehicle with closed windows. Leave mobile homes that may be blown down by strong winds.

• If thunderstorms are likely to occur, postpone outdoor activities. Many people struck by lightning are not in areas where it is raining.

• Avoid using electrical equipment and telephones. Switch to battery-powered TVs and radios.

• Close the windows and safely close the outer door. Stay away from windows.

• Do not bathe, shower or use pipes.

• If you are driving, try to get off the road safely and stop. Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashing lights until the heavy rain is over. Avoid touching metal or other conductive surfaces inside and outside the vehicle.

• If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or stands. Picnic shelters, bomb shelters and sheds are not safe.

• Do not drive through flooded roads. You cannot predict the depth of the water.

• Stay away from areas damaged by storms to avoid the risk of severe thunderstorms.

• Continue to listen to NOAA weather radio or local radio and television stations for updated information or instructions, as certain parts of the road or community may be blocked.

• Help people who may need special help, such as babies, children, the elderly, or the disabled.

• Stay away from the collapsed power cord and report it immediately.

• Identify a safe place in your home where family members and pets will gather during a tornado: basement, storm cellar, or lowest-level indoor room without windows.

• In high-rise buildings, select the corridor in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the bottom.

• In mobile homes, choose a safe place among nearby sturdy buildings. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, please make it your safe place. No mobile home, regardless of its configuration, is safe in a tornado.

• If you are under a tornado warning, find a safe shelter immediately.

• Stay away from windows, doors and exterior walls.

• Do not enter the overpass or under the bridge. You will be safer in low and flat places.

• Beware of flying debris that may cause injury or death.

• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

For more information on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from severe weather, please visit redcross.org/storms.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers, donors and partners who came forward this year to take care of those in need!

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