Dangerous weather including tornadoes and up to 4 inches of rain could occur Friday across the Texarkana region, according to the National Weather Service.
"Severe thunderstorms will be possible on Friday afternoon into Friday night and possibly lingering into Saturday morning. Large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, and locally heavy rainfall can be expected on Friday afternoon with organized thunderstorms.
"Severe potential will shift into more of a heavy rain and damaging wind threat as storms evolve into a squall line Friday evening ahead of a cold front which will be arriving late Friday night through early Saturday morning. The severe threat should be ending prior to daybreak on Saturday with the cold front gradually clearing the region later in the morning.
"Rainfall totals as high as four inches may be possible across portions of north-central Louisiana and south-central Arkansas," the Shreveport, La., NWS office said in a Hazardous Weather Outlook statement Thursday.
The American Red Cross recommends the following severe-weather safety precautions, according to its website, redcross.org.
When tornadoes are possible:
- Know your community's warning system.
- Pick a safe room in your home where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. This should be a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Prepare for strong winds by removing diseased and damaged limbs from trees.
- Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile.
- Know the tornado danger signs-dark, often greenish clouds, a wall cloud, cloud of debris, large hail, a funnel cloud or a roaring noise.
In case of thunderstorms:
- If thunder roars, go indoors. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning.
- Watch for storm signs like darkening skies, flashes of lightning or increasing winds.
- Postpone any outdoor activities. Many people who are struck by lightning are not where it is raining.
- Take shelter in a substantial building or a vehicle with the windows closed. Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Stay away from windows.
- Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.
If flooding occurs:
- Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
- If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
- Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.