Emergency Tornado Warning: What You Need to Know Right Now to Stay Safe

Central Texas residents are under an urgent tornado warning this evening as a slow-moving supercell tracks across Bosque, Hill and McLennan counties, including the communities of Gholson and Ross. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the alert at 7:42 p.m. CDT, extending it until at least 8:15 p.m. Radar indicates rotation capable of producing a tornado, with the storm drifting northeast at roughly 5 mph and carrying quarter-size hail. The warning is part of a larger severe-weather setup that has lit up NOAA’s map with nine active alerts across Texas, Georgia and Florida, highlighting the breadth of today’s threat. Warm, moisture-rich Gulf air colliding with a slow-moving upper-level trough has created ideal conditions for discrete supercells capable of producing long-track tornadoes well after sunset. What areas are at greatest risk tonight? • Bosque County – Meridian, Clifton, Iredell • Hill County – Hillsboro, Abbott, Whitney • McLennan County – Waco metro, Bellmead, Gholson, Ross Small towns between Valley Mills and West should prepare for sudden changes in storm motion; slow forward speed increases the danger of rain-wrapped tornadoes that become invisible after dark. Why this warning matters June ranks near the climatological peak for Texas tornadoes, but 2025 is running above average, with the NWS confirming more than 450 tornadoes nationwide before mid-month. A blocking ridge to the east is forcing storms to crawl, raising the potential for both wind damage and flash flooding in the I-35 corridor. Immediate safety actions 1. Take shelter now: Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. 2. Protect your head: Use a mattress, helmet, or sturdy object to shield against flying debris. 3. Avoid windows: Glass can shatter and become lethal shrapnel. 4. Mobile homes and vehicles are unsafe: Abandon them for a permanent structure or underground shelter. 5. Keep multiple alert sources active: NOAA Weather Radio, WEA-enabled phones, and local TV/AM-FM stations provide redundancy if power or cell towers fail. Understanding the terminology • Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable. Monitor updates and review your plan. • Tornado Warning: A tornado is imminent or occurring. Execute your safety plan immediately. Road safety tips Drivers on I-35, US-84 and TX-6 should exit to sturdy shelter rather than attempting to “outrun” the storm. If caught in high winds with no safe building nearby, park, keep your seat belt on, lower your head below window level and cover with a blanket or jacket. After the storm passes Stay out of damaged buildings and downed power-line areas, and photograph property damage only when it is safe; insurers often require visual documentation. Report injuries to 9-1-1 and damage to local emergency management or through the NWS storm-report form. Avoid sightseeing—rescue crews need clear roads. Looking ahead The same frontal boundary is forecast to sag south overnight, keeping a tornado and flash-flood threat alive across Central Texas into early Friday. Check the latest outlooks each hour; additional warnings may be issued with little lead time as nocturnal instability peaks. Bottom line If you are in Bosque, Hill, or McLennan counties—or know someone who is—shelter immediately. A confirmed tornado could form at any moment. Keep your phone charged, stay weather-aware, and remain in your safe room until the NWS gives the all-clear.