Since 1972, Fairfax County has experienced 20 tornadoes, including Tysons and Centreville in 2022; Reston in 2019; Lincolnia in 2018; Herndon in 2017; and Belle Haven in 2014. 

One of the most important things to know is the difference between tornado watches and warnings.

⚠️ WATCH = BE PREPARED because a tornado is possible

🚨 WARNING = TAKE ACTION because a tornado is imminent or already occurring

Fairfax Alerts: register or login and subscribe to weather categories.

NOAA Weather Radios are like smoke alarms for weather dangers. 

Without a weather radio, you could miss a critical warning message that could save your life and those in your family. They are on standby 24 hours, especially at night to wake you up in case of emergency.

You don’t have to buy fancy or costly weather radios (they range from $20-$100). All weather radios are not identical, though. Try to buy one that use S.A.M.E. codes, which allow you to pre-program the weather radio to your location. 

Fairfax County’s S.A.M.E. code is 051059.

NOAA Weather Radios also can be made accessible to people who are hearing impaired. In some situations, it can be connected to an existing alerting system in a deaf or hard of hearing person’s home or some come with an LCD display, warning lights or simple texts that make alerts visible.