Tornado watch in effect in Franklin, Fulton counties

WAYNESBORO, Pa. — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Franklin and Fulton counties in Pennsylvania, effective through 10 p.m. Thursday.

The watch is in effect for multiple counties across the state and was issued from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

Strong thunderstorms are expected to affect Washington County on Thursday afternoon, the weather service said.

A strong thunderstorm was indicated 3 miles northwest of Hillsboro, Va. and was moving northeast at 25 mph, the service said.

Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected in the area, the service said.

The National Weather Service warned that hail ranging from small to large could accompany the storm.

In Franklin County, Emergency Services Director Dave Donohue reminded citizens to utilize the South Central Alert System, which will notify residents through telephones and other telecommunication devices in the event a tornado watch become a tornado warning, according an EMS to a news release.

A warning is issued when a tornado may be imminent, the release said.

When the Department of Emergency Services relays a tornado warning, it will include the expected areas impacted.

Alerts are sent using data from the white pages of the phone book, but anyone would like to add additional contacts can visit www.franklindes.org and sign up under the South Central Alert Icon, according to the release.