Multiple tornadoes ripped through the Dallas-Fort Worth area on the evening of Oct. 20. The tornadoes that touched down ranged up to EF-3, according to the National Weather Service.

When severe weather hits, the weather service may issue a tornado watch or a tornado warning. A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible in the area, but they are not confirmed. The weather service will issue this alert as a way to tell people to prepare to take cover. When this warning is issued, people should identify a safe room and get supplies ready.

A tornado warning means a tornado has either been sighted or confirmed by radar. When this warning is issued, people should immediately take cover. The weather service suggests moving to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. This room should be away from windows.

Colleyville and Grapevine have both instituted CodeRED for weather-related emergency notifications. Residents can sign up for these notifications on their respective city websites. Southlake has its own notification system called @lertSouthlake, which serves a similar purpose. Residents can sign up for the city’s alert system on the Southlake website.