Tornado WATCH - not Warning! Don't panic!

Ok, so we have a Tornado Watch here in Middlesex County.  But that is NOT the same thing as a warning!  Tornado watches just mean it's POSSIBLE, not that there IS a Tornado!  This is what the alert said:

(UPDATE: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 812 UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY WHICH REPLACES A PORTION OF TORNADO WATCH 811. 

IN NEW JERSEY THE NEW WATCH INCLUDES 7 COUNTIES

MONMOUTH

MIDDLESEX

ATLANTIC

BURLINGTON

CAPE MAY

CUMBERLAND

OCEAN 

But SO FAR, we still haven't seen a tornado in Middlesex County.  But keep watching the weather channel for minute by minute updates!

Sat, Aug 27, 2011, 6:15 PM EDT


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS EXTENDED TORNADO WATCH 811 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AREAS UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING


IN NEW JERSEY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES
MONMOUTH
MIDDLESEX
BURLINGTON
and OCEAN


THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF... EAST BRUNSWICK... EDISON... FREEHOLD... MOORESTOWN... MOUNT HOLLY... NEW BRUNSWICK... NORTH BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP... PERTH AMBOY... SAYREVILLE AND TOMS RIVER.

Here are the definitions:
Tornado Watch: A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes in and close to the watch area. People in the affected areas are encouraged to be vigilant in preparation for severe weather.

Tornado Warning: A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar, and is occurring or imminent in the warning area. If a tornado warning is issued, people in the affected area are strongly encouraged to take cover immediately.

Being Prepared for a tornado means get ready now, so read this:
 When a tornado warning has been issued, you may have very little time to prepare.
How you respond now is critical. And how you react depends on where you are.
In a Frame Home  (most of us have Frame homes.  That's a regular building.)

Have a portable radio, preferably a NOAA weather radio, for information. Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home (basement or storm cellar). If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway, a smaller inner room, or a closet. Keep away from all windows. You can cushion yourself with a mattress, but do not use one to cover yourself. Do cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass. Don't waste time moving mattresses around. Keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Multiple tornadoes can emerge from the same storm, so do not go out until the storm has passed. Do not leave a building to attempt to "escape" a tornado. In a Mobile Home Leave your mobile home immediately and take shelter elsewhere. Outside Try to get inside and seek a small protected space with no windows. Avoid large-span roof areas such as school gymnasiums, arenas, or shopping malls. If you cannot get inside, crouch for protection beside a strong structure, or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head and neck with your arms or a piece of clothing. In a Car Ideally, you should avoid driving when tornadoes or other kinds of dangerous weather threaten, because a vehicle is a very unsafe place to be. If, however, this is not possible, stay as calm as possible, and assess the situation. Your best option might be to get out of the car and lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area that is sufficiently deep enough to protect against the wind. If you do so, beware of water runoff from heavy rain that could pose a hazard; get as far away from the vehicle as possible and shield your head from flying debris. Or, if possible, take shelter immediately in a nearby building.