The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning spanning parts of several counties in North Texas on Friday afternoon.Van Zandt, Hopkins and Henderson counties were the latest to have been under tornado warnings.

When a warning is issued, take action. This means tornado conditions are imminent and have been spotted either by someone on the ground or by radar. Warning areas are typically smaller than those within a watch and are issued for a shorter time period, typically about 15 minutes.

Staying informed about the forecast and knowing what to do before and during an event saves lives. Here are some things you need to know to stay safe.