A severe thunderstorm watch is now in effect for more than a dozen North Texas counties, and forecasters say the worst could arrive late tonight.
The Storm Prediction Center issued the watch — valid until 2 a.m. — covering a wide swath of the region, from the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs all the way north to the Red River.
Which counties are under the watch?
The watch includes Denton and Collin counties, along with Cooke, Delta, Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Jack, Lamar, Montague, Wise, and Young counties.
If you live in any of these areas, now is the time to prepare.
When will the storms arrive?
Forecasters expect the storms to cross the Red River at around 10 p.m., after which severe thunderstorm warnings are likely to be issued as the system pushes south into populated parts of North Texas.
What are the biggest threats?
The primary dangers with this storm system are:
- Large hail — capable of damaging vehicles, rooftops, and outdoor property
- Damaging winds — strong enough to knock down trees and power lines
- Tornado risk — while considered low, forecasters say it is not zero
That last point is worth taking seriously. Even a small tornado risk means residents should know where their safe shelter is before the storms move in.
What should you do right now?
- Charge your phone and have a weather alert app or NOAA Weather Radio ready
- Identify a safe interior room on the lowest floor of your home
- Move vehicles into a garage or covered structure if possible
- Stay off the roads once storms begin moving through
Authorities are urging residents to stay alert throughout the night as conditions are expected to evolve quickly…