The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the local area, including the cities of Suffolk and Franklin and the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton and Surry.

The tornado watch was issued at 11:50 a.m. Friday and is set to be in effect until 6 p.m.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. If a tornado warning is issued, that means a tornado has been spotted or indicated on radar. During a tornado warning, get into an interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building, away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Do not open windows.

Those in a mobile home or vehicle should attempt to get into a sturdy building before the storm arrives.