A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect in Beaufort County until 5:45 p.m. Damaging winds are expected in excess of 60 mph.

Tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service on two separate occasions during the day, around 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“The warning means that they’ve spotted a tornado in some area. It may not be on the ground, but they’ve seen it form. They’ve either seen a tornado form or they’ve seen enough straight-line winds to know the conditions are extremely favorable,” said Lisa Williams, Beaufort County Emergency Management technician.

There are about 60 out of 100 counties in the North Carolina under watch until 9 p.m., though that will likely be extended, according Williams.

Williams said residents should take advantage of the Red Cross’ free tornado warning phone app in order to be alerted to the possibility of a tornado.

“If your GPS is on, that alarm is going to go off, even if it’s silenced,” Williams said.