Statewide Tornado Drills Will Take Place on March 17
According the state’s Web site, www.in.gov, Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 14-20. The week is set aside to remind people of the dangers of severe weather and how to be prepared.
Statewide tornado drills are planned for March 17, 2010. The drill will help ensure that the statewide Indiana EAS network is operating properly and is ready to respond in a real emergency. The warning will sound sometime between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. EST and again between 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. EST on commercial radio, television networks and NOAA all hazards radio. Wording identifying the alert as a test will be found throughout the warning, follow up statements, and the warning cancellation message.
In preparation for Indiana’s unpredictable weather, you should:
Know the warning signs of severe weather. Definitions according to the National Weather Service’s Web site are:
o Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for a particular severe weather hazard within the next several hours.
o Warning: Issued when a particular severe weather hazard is imminent or occurring. Take immediate action to protect life and property.
o Tornado: A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.
o Severe Thunderstorm: A thunderstorm that produces a tornado, damaging winds of 58 mph or higher, and/or quarter (1 inch) size hail or larger.
Develop an emergency supply kit that includes basics such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, a blanket, a first aid kit and medicines to help a family survive on their own for up to 72 hours.
Consider purchasing a NOAA all-hazards radio. These radios broadcast National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other post-event information for all types of hazards, both natural (such as earthquakes and tornadoes) and environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), 24 hours a day.
During a severe thunderstorm or tornado remember to:
Get in: Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, and stay away from doors and windows.
Get down: Go to the lowest floor possible. Basements are best during tornadoes or very high wind situations.
Cover up
Remain calm
