BREAKING NEWS.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Stoddard and surrounding counties in Southeast Missouri. The Tornado Watch will be in effect 9 p.m., Friday, April 15.

Missouri counties included include Stoddard, Bollinger, Cutler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, and Wayne. .

The weather server report that as the line of storms moves close east closer to the Mississippi River they are expected to increase in intensity and coverage. The storms should reach the river by 5 p.m., and several of the storms will likely be severe. .

A Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. .

During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.