LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several Kentuckiana counties are under tornado watches as a powerful storm system makes its way through the region.
Safety experts are now weighing in on the best possible preparations people can keep in mind to stay safe.
Jordan Yuodis, the spokesperson for Anchorage-Middletown Fire & EMS, said no matter the severity of any weather event, people should always run through a checklist of safety preps.
"Now is the time to prepare. Later on will be too late for that," Yuodis said. "Take those measures that you need to keep yourself and your family safe."
Top of mind, Yuodis said, is knowing ahead of time where you and your family can take shelter in case a tornado forms near where you live. For most, that space is the basement of their home.
For anyone living in a house without a basement, it's recommended you seek shelter inside a room, without windows, on the lowest floor.
"If you don't have a basement, and you're concerned [ahead of time] is the best time to leave your home," Yuodis said.
He recommended people without basements seek shelter with family or friends that have basements, ahead of any possible weather threats — anyone living in mobile homes is strongly advised to follow these recommendations.
Widespread heavy rain and extreme wind gusts are forecast to hit the region through Friday afternoon.
State safety officials continue to urge drivers "turn around, don't drown."
"The biggest thing is, it doesn't take a whole lot of water to move a vehicle off of a roadway," Yuodis said. "We see that all the time when it rains a little bit and cars hydroplane."
If you do hydroplane, avoid the natural urge to panic and slam your brakes. Doing so can cause your vehicle to spin completely out of control. It's recommended you pump your brakes while steering into the skid.
Yuodis also has advice for drivers who encounter downed infrastructure on the roads.
"[It's] one of the biggest things that we say on a day like today," Yuodis said. "If you see a tree line fall or a power line fall, stay away from it, don't go to try to go and move it out of the road yourself. Don't drive over it."
Yuodis said if you encounter a fallen tree line or power line, to call 911.
"Between us and the great relationship we have with LG&E, we'll get it cleaned up and back to normal," he said.