LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As a part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, a statewide tornado drill will be conducted on Wednesday morning in Kentucky.
The tornado sirens are expected to go off at 10:07 a.m. EST. This is just a drill so no need to panic. All Kentuckians are encouraged to practice their tornado safety actions at home, school, or work.
During the drill, the National Weather Service (NWS), in partnership with Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee (KWPC), and Kentucky Broadcasters Association, will issue a test tornado message that will activate weather alert radios.
“Weather impacts everyone and it’s essential our families know the steps available to be prepared and stay safe in the event of severe weather,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. “I am thankful for our dedicated weather service leaders, police, fire, EMS, 9-1-1 telecommunicators, emergency services and other first responders who are trained to keep our city informed and safe in times of need. From these heroes to our LG&E crew members and residents, we all have a role in being prepared and keeping Louisville safe.”
At the same time as the tornado drill, Emergency Services will issue an emergency alert using its LENSAlert system’s capability to push an emergency message to all cell phones in Jefferson County.
Helpful tips to conduct a tornado drill at home or work:
- Announce the start of the drill.
- Participants should act as though a tornado warning has been issued for the immediate area or a tornado has been sighted nearby.
- They should move as quickly as possible to the pre-designated tornado shelter.
- Once people reach pre-designated safe areas, they should crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down, covering their heads with their hands.
- Once everyone has reached safe shelter, announce the mock tornado has passed and the drill is complete.
- After the drill, perform an assessment to determine if the designated shelter was large enough for everyone, easy to access and uncluttered.
“Severe weather knows no boundaries and can potentially impact every individual in the Louisville Metro area. Because of this, you need to be aware, be prepared and have a plan,” Jody Meiman, Executive Director, Louisville Metro Emergency Services, said.
Helpful tips for a good tornado plan:
- Designate a tornado sheltering area in an interior room on the lowest level of a building and away from windows. Basements are best, but if there is no basement, choose an interior bathroom, closet, or other enclosed space on the lowest level of a building.
- Ensure employee or family members know where the designated shelter is located.
- If caught outdoors and unable to seek indoor shelter during a tornado warning, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
- Remember, outdoor sirens are designed to warn people outdoors to seek shelter immediately and are NOT designed to warn indoor inhabitants.
"Tornadoes and severe weather can happen anytime day or night, which is why it's very important to have multiple ways to receive warning information. Cell phones are great but having another source like a NOAA weather radio can be lifesaving," John Gordon, Meteorologist in Charge for the National Weather Service Louisville, said.
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