Community Corner

Severe Weather to Hit Northern Virginia Tonight

Stay safe this weekend, as severe weather is forecasted for the Woodbridge area, with thunderstorms tonight, and possible tornadoes further south.

Update 5 p.m.: The area is under a flood watch until Saturday morning, which means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. 

Original Post: 

Weather experts predict that the Woodbridge area will most likely be hit by a thunderstorm tonight, with possible tornadoes hitting further south along the east coast this weekend. 

Find out what's happening in Lake Ridge-Occoquanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Severe weather is currently hitting a wide swathe of the United States, extending up into the Ohio Valley, down through the South, and along the east coast, Bloomberg news reported. Tornadoes have touched down in Alabama, the LA Times reported.

The weather in the South ends a week of severe weather in the U.S., with tornadoes hitting the Midwest on Tuesday

Find out what's happening in Lake Ridge-Occoquanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stay up to date with the latest on the weather. For a look back on this past summer's severe weather in the Woodbridge area, see the coverage of the or the .

Stay safe with our severe weather tips:

Make a family emergency plan. It is important to discuss with your family the protocol during an emergency. Make sure everyone is aware of the emergency contact numbers in your area and choose a family member with a long-distance number to check in with in case of separation; local phone lines are often jammed after an emergency. If you have a pet, make sure to bring them inside before the storm hits. Plan an evacuation route.

Record your personal belongings.  In the event of loss or damage, a visual or written record of your belongings (cars, collectibles, jewelry, etc) and home exterior will make insurance claims easier.

Stock up on essentials. Woodbridge hardware stores like Home Depot always carry emergency supplies including batteries, plywood and generators. It's important to have your vehicle full of gas in case an evacuation is issued.

Below are a few items you should include in your kit. For a full list, visit the CDC Emergency page.

  • Water (1 gallon per person per day)
  • Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
  • Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
  • Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
  • Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
  • Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
  • Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
  • First Aid supplies (you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)

For more tips and a printable safety plan checklist, visit www.readyvirginia.gov. For Keri Goodfriend's list of tips, see her article on .


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