The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 9 p.m. tonight. Beaufort County will be affected by the same storm system that has spawned nearly 100 tornados and killed 31 people across the Southeast.

System is currently moving Northeast,  toward Washington.  According to the National Weather Service we should expect hail and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

According to Beaufort County Emergency Management technician Lisa Respess, residents need to pay attention.

“Keep your eyes open, be aware of what’s going on. Think through in advance of what you will do. If you are in a mobile home, get out, get in ditch. If your neighbor has a basement. We’re used to preparing for hurricanes. We don’t take tornado warning seriously because they don’t usually manifest themselves like they did Friday,” Respess said.

According to the NWS, 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.  If in mobile homes or vehicles…evacuate them and get inside a substantial shelter. If no shelter is available…lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands.

A HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.  THERE IS A THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS…HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. AT THIS TIME EXPECT THE GREATEST RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER TO BE WEST OF HIGHWAY 17.