Governor Matt Bevin has signed a proclamation designating March 1 – 7, 2018, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky.
As part of severe weather awareness activities, a statewide tornado drill will be conducted in conjunction with the proclamation. At approximately 10:07 am or 9:07 am CST, Thursday, March 1, the National Weather Service, in partnership with Kentucky Emergency Management, Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, and Kentucky Broadcasters Association, will issue a test tornado warning message.
Across Kentucky, outdoor warning sirens will sound, weather alert radios will activate, and television and radio stations will broadcast the alert along with mobile devices. This drill will give citizens the opportunity to practice tornado safety measures.
Remember, outdoor sirens are designed to warn people outdoors to seek shelter immediately and NOT to warn indoor inhabitants. Tornadoes can, and do, strike each month of the year during both day and night when people are more vulnerable and may not have a television or radio turned on when a warning is issued. A battery back-up weather alert radio is recommended and is the most effective way to monitor and receive severe weather watches and warnings.
During the test alert, all Kentuckians, businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, educators and government agencies are encouraged to participate in the tornado drill and update their emergency plans as needed. Being prepared for severe weather starts with identifying threats and risks.
The first step is to become weather ready by knowing what types of weather hazards can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Citizens should check local weather forecasts regularly, get a NOAA Weather Alert Radio and sign up for alerts from their local emergency management officials.
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