Tornado watch ends; community safe room closes

A Facebook post at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday said the tornado watch for the area has ended and the Community Safe Room at 7312 Highway 51 is closing.

The post also said a tornado watch had been issued at 2:40 p.m. and was in effect until 10 p.m. CDT, and that the safe room had been opened and available for all citizens for the duration of the watch.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form; it does not mean a tornado has been sighted. The post urged residents to monitor the weather closely and be prepared to take immediate shelter if a tornado occurs.

Community safe rooms are designated shelters that local authorities use to provide protection during severe storms. They are intended to offer a secure location for residents who lack access to storm-resistant homes. Residents should continue to follow guidance from local emergency services and official weather sources. We will provide more information as it becomes available.