Right now
The most recent data we hold from NOAA arrived 2 hours ago.
Nothing else has been detected within 20 km in the last 24 hours.
This page covers the record dated 17 March 2026. Browse recent observations in this area:
This alert expired on 17 March 2026 at 00:45 UTC. It is kept here as a record.
No stronger detection stands among the 75 recorded within 20 km of this point since 17 March 2026 — 3 others scored the same. Another comparable one was recorded here earlier the same day. 2 more were recorded here in the fortnight before it.
What the source measured
NOAA reported: Tornado Warning issued March 16 at 8:31PM EDT until March 16 at 8:45PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Urban PEI: 418,099 within a heuristic 50 km radius; not unique people.
Nearby, since 17 March 2026
- March 17, 2026 · score 67 · 0.0 km
- March 17, 2026 · score 67 · 2.2 km
- March 17, 2026 · score 67 · 3.5 km
How we know
4 recorded sources include NOAA; independence is not established by this count.
Our own score for this event is 67 out of 100.
This is our versioned heuristic index, not source severity or a calibrated probability. Urban PEI does not count unique people.
Computed under scoring rules v1. Rows carrying other versions were judged by different rules and are not directly comparable.
Series begins 8 March 2026. Comparisons refer to that period only. Collection gap: 14-26 August 2026.
This data is aggregated algorithmically from scientific sources. Not a replacement for official emergency warnings.
Event data
| Type | Severe Weather |
| Severity | Critical |
| Calamity Score (ours) | 67 / 100 |
| Legacy data-support index | 0.88/1 |
| Coordinates | 37.8261, -77.4694 |
| Nearest city | Laurel (21 km) |
| Urban exposure index (PEI) | 418.1K within 50 km |
| Impact tier | severe |
| Timestamp | 2026-03-17T00:31:00.000Z |
| Source | https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.c1dd4eaf3c0e9727cce715b7024007429c736f5d.002.1 |
| Licence | US public domain · NOAA National Weather Service |
Physical priority index · v1. Heuristic priority, not calibrated probability, predictive accuracy or damage. The legacy data-support index combines assigned source support and field availability. Urban PEI is distance-weighted and does not count unique people; zero does not establish that nobody is present. Model cards.
Source and revision timeline
Source: noaa. Occurrence: 2026-03-17T00:31:00.000Z.
First archived: 2026-03-17T00:34:41.025Z. Material modification: not recorded.
Retained revisions are prospective; earlier versions may be unavailable. No revision entry does not prove that a record never changed.
Score breakdown
Technical details
| Event | Tornado Warning |
| Urgency | Immediate |
| Certainty | Observed |
| AreaDesc | Hanover, VA |
| Headline | Tornado Warning issued March 16 at 8:31PM EDT until March 16 at 8:45PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA |
| Expires | 2026-03-16T20:45:00-04:00 |
| SenderName | NWS Wakefield VA |
| HasExactCoords | true |
| Spc ReportType | wind |
| Spc Speed | UNK |
| Spc Location | King George |
| Spc County | King George |
| Spc State | VA |
| Spc Comments | VDOT reported two trees down near King George. (LWX) |
| MergedSources | [{"id":"spc_wind_38.20_-77.97_116","source":"spc","severity":"medium","severityValue":45,"timestamp":1773707324467,"latitude":38.2,"longitude":-77.97},{"id":"spc_wind_38.49_-77.58_124","source":"spc","severity":"medium","severityValue":45,"timestamp":1773707324467,"latitude":38.49,"longitude":-77.58},{"id":"spc_wind_38.27_-77.18_145","source":"spc","severity":"medium","severityValue":45,"timestamp":1773707324467,"latitude":38.27,"longitude":-77.18}] |
Safety information
What to do in a tornado
Three things first, then what to do before, during and after. From FEMA’s Ready.gov and the US National Weather Service.
For this reportSevere Weather · Laurel
Go to the lowest, innermost room
A basement or a storm shelter; otherwise an inner room without windows on the lowest floor. Protect your head and neck.
Ready.govLeave a mobile home
It gives no protection: go to a sturdy building or a shelter before the tornado arrives.
Ready.govOutdoors or in a car
Find the strongest shelter you can. If there is none, lie flat in a low place and cover your head. Never under a bridge.
Ready.gov
Before, during, after. Here it is “after”.
Before · When tornadoes are possible
Get the warnings
Phone alerts and weather radio, day and night.
Choose your safe room
Lowest floor, inner, no windows; everyone at home should know it.
Know the signs
A rotating cloud, a cloud of debris, a loud roar like a train.
Ready.gov (FEMA)
During · When a warning is issued
Go now
To your safe room, without waiting to see it.
Cover up
Arms over head and neck; blankets or a mattress over you.
Ready.gov (FEMA)
After · When it has passed
Keep away from fallen lines
And from damaged buildings.
Clean up protected
Sturdy shoes, gloves, a mask.
Messages, not calls
Keep lines free for emergencies.
Ready.gov (FEMA)
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a warning?
A watch means tornadoes are possible: be ready. A warning means one has been seen or detected on radar: take shelter now. Source: US National Weather Service.
Should I open the windows?
No. It does not help, and it wastes time you need to take shelter. Source: US National Weather Service.
Is an overpass a good shelter?
No. Wind speeds up under it and carries debris. Source: Ready.gov (FEMA).
Review the area, threshold and delivery channel in your account.