Tornado Warning Issued for Liberty County as Rotating Thunderstorm Moves East Near Cleveland and Plum Grove

Tornado warning focused on central Liberty County Tuesday afternoon

A tornado warning was issued Tuesday, February 3, 2026, for parts of Liberty County as a severe thunderstorm showed radar-indicated rotation while moving across the area. The warning covered primarily rural sections of the county and remained in effect into the late afternoon before expiring.

The storm prompting the warning was tracked moving east at about 20 mph. During the warning period, forecasters identified the circulation near the Cleveland area and later around 10 miles northeast of Plum Grove. Officials emphasized that the threat was based on radar signatures consistent with possible tornado development rather than a confirmed ground report at the time of the alert.

What the warning signaled and why it was issued

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is indicated by weather radar or has been reported, signaling an immediate threat to life and property in the warned area. In this case, the warning was driven by radar-indicated rotation within a severe thunderstorm, a pattern that can precede tornado formation.

Alongside the tornado risk, the storm was associated with the potential for damaging winds and flying debris. Hazards of this type can be especially dangerous for people in manufactured housing and for anyone caught outdoors without nearby shelter.

Protective actions urged during the warning

During the warning, residents in the affected parts of Liberty County were advised to take shelter immediately in a sturdy building. Standard safety guidance for tornado warnings includes moving to the lowest floor, using an interior room away from windows, and avoiding mobile homes as shelter.

• Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure.
• Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
• If in a mobile home or vehicle, relocate to a substantial shelter if it can be reached quickly and safely.

Status after the warning expired

The tornado warning expired later Tuesday afternoon. While the tornado threat for the warned area diminished after expiration, storm impacts can continue even as alerts change, including strong wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and lightning. In the hours surrounding the warning, additional thunderstorm activity continued across the broader Houston region as a line of storms pushed east.

Tornado warnings are time-sensitive alerts. Residents are urged to act immediately when a warning is issued and to remain weather-aware as storms evolve.