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Release date: 2019-03-11
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[Archived] Be Prepared: Participate in the 2019 Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2019

The City of Alexandria invites the public to participate in the annual Statewide Tornado Drill, scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19. At that time, the National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios – which will sound a tone alert and show a test message or flash to indicate a message, simulating what people would hear or see during an actual tornado warning.

The City will also send an Alexandria eNews alert notification for a test tornado warning. This message will prompt you to take the necessary actions you would use during an actual tornado. If widespread severe weather threatens Virginia on March 19, the drill will be rescheduled for Wednesday, March 20, at 9:45 a.m.

Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Statewide Tornado Drill is a yearly opportunity to prepare Virginians for tornado emergencies and to test public warning systems. Local radio stations, TV stations and cable outlets will broadcast the test message via the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

Residents and businesses are encouraged to be ready for tornadoes and other spring storms by registering to participate in the drill, going over their emergency preparedness plans and reviewing the following tornado preparedness information.

Tornado Preparedness Information and Tips

Know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning:

If a Tornado Warning is announced, take the following actions.

If you are in a building:

If you are outdoors or in a car:

For additional information about the Statewide Tornado Drill and to register, visit Virginia Department of Emergency Management. For more information about emergency preparedness, visit alexandriava.gov/Emergency. For information about tornadoes, visit alexandriava.gov/Tornado. To receive emergency notifications by text or email, subscribe to the City’s free Alexandria eNews service at alexandriava.gov/eNews.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.



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