Tornadic circulation will pass close to downtown St. Cloud

(Update: 5:37 pm). I'm concerned about the tornadic storm we've been tracking passing very close to downtown St. Cloud within the next 45 minutes. At last report there was no tornado on the ground, just a rotating wall cloud, which is often a precursor to an actual tornado. SKYWARN storm spotters have been activated, professionally trained experts on the ground to help the NWS detect and track any tornadoes that might ultimately form from this T-storm cell. There is a myth, an urban legend that tornadoes can't hit cities. NOT TRUE! If the circulation is broad enough a few high-rise buildings, concrete and asphalt won't make a difference.

If you're at home go to the basement, under the stairs, under a heavy piece of furniture.

No basement: small, windowless room on the ground floor, away from outer walls and windows, like a closet or bathroom.

Avoid: mobile homes, auditoriums, cars/trucks.

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
532 PM CDT TUE JUL 14 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN STEARNS COUNTY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* UNTIL 600 PM CDT

* AT 531 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A ROTATING WALL
CLOUD NEAR ST NICHOLAS...OR ABOUT OVER ST NICHOLAS. RADAR SHOWED
THE SEVERE STORM MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
COLD SPRING...
ROCKVILLE...
PLEASANT LAKE...
LUXEMBURG...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.