Live Weather Updates: High winds and severe storms in store for the Triad

GREENSBORO, N.C. — WFMY News 2’s Weather Team has issued a Weather Impact Alert for Wednesday, March 5.

The threat for storms is over, but high winds could bring some damage or power outages to the area.

WFMY News 2 will keep you updated with the latest weather info with our live blog.

12 p.m. — Three Guilford County Schools are releasing at 1 p.m. due to a power outage – Sedalia Elementary, Eastern Middle, and Eastern High School. ACES is canceled at Sedalia, GCS officials said.

11:16 a.m.–Storm damage at Starbucks in Wilkesboro

8:35 a.m. — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools said elementary and middle school students are already at school and are ‘taking cover,’ as they’ve been trained to do until the warning expires. In tornado warnings, the district instructs buses to pull over. So, high schoolers on buses are in a holding pattern, and students who haven’t already left are advised to stay home until the warning lifts and it’s safe. The district said those students will not be counted tardy.

8:25 a.m. — Tornado warning issued in Forsyth County. Get in your safe space.

Know the difference between a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH and a WARNING:

• A WATCH means severe weather is possible, but not yet happening. Keep checking up on the weather throughout the day, have a plan ready in case warnings are issued for your area.
• A WARNING means severe weather is happening in your area. Seek shelter, and get to a safe place.

Know the difference between a Tornado WATCH and a WARNING:

• A TORNADO WATCH means conditions are favorable for severe weather or a tornado to develop. People located in and around the watch area should keep an eye toward the sky and listen to their NOAA weather radio or tune to WFMY News 2 for further weather information. The watch is intended to give you time to prepare and review your safety rules.
• A TORNADO WARNING means that a tornado has been detected by the National Weather Service Doppler radar or a reliable report of a tornado has been reported from the field. A tornado warning is usually issued for portions of one or two counties for an hour or less. The storm could also produce large hail and destructive straight-line winds. If the tornado warning includes your neighborhood or workplace, you should seek safe shelter immediately

When your area is under a tornado warning, or if you see a tornado approaching, you should seek shelter immediately! Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head, even wearing a helmet and shoes in your safe spot is a good idea. The following are safety tips for seeking shelter during high winds and tornadoes.

Here are some tornado safety tips:

• In general, get as low as you can. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.
• Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. Avoid windows at all costs!
• Tornadoes could be obscured by rainfall or come in the overnight hours. Do not wait until you see or hear the tornado, it may be too late.
• Do not waste time opening or closing windows and doors. It will not protect the structure. You will only waste time and put yourself and others at greater risk. Use those valuable seconds to find a place of safety.