Tornado

What damage did you observe?

How long was it on the ground? When did it start and end?

How wide was it? How far did it travel if known?

Funnel Cloud 

Watch for organization, persistence and rotation

Wall Cloud

Report if clouds are rotating and how long they have existed.

Hail 

Report the size of the largest stone and any damage.

To estimate size, compare hail to well known objects such as coins or balls, but not to marbles, or measure the hail with a ruler.

Winds

Report estimated or measured wind speed and wind damage.

Wind speed estimation is difficult. A detailed description of moving objects or damage is often more useful.

Details to submit for tree damage: 

What is the height and diameter of the branch, limb or tree that was broken or blown down?

Was the tree healthy or decayed?

What type of tree was damaged, e.g., hardwood or softwood?

Details to submit for damage to structures.

Is the damage to a well-built structure or a weak outbuilding?

What is the main building material for the structure: wood, brick, metal, concrete, etc.?

If the structure is a mobile home, was it anchored down?

Heavy Rain

Falling at a rate of 1” per hour, 

OR

more than 1” per day in winter. 

** Rapidly falling heavy rain may be a precursor to flash flooding.

Flooding

Any water flowing where it normally does not.

Rivers flowing above their banks.

Flash Flooding

Report flooded roadways, rivers and streams, giving approximate water depth.

Does the flooding consist of standing water or is it flowing?

Is the water level continuing to rise, staying steady or falling?

Is the flooding occurring in a known flood prone area?

Any damage from the flooding or mud slides?