FRANKFORT, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear is urging Kentuckians to prepare for severe weather which has the potential to strike at any time. He declared March 1-7, 2020 as "Severe Weather Awareness Week."
A statewide tornado safety drill will happen Wednesday, March 4 around 10:07 a.m. EST. During the drill, warning sirens outdoors will be turned on and alerts will be sent out across radio, television and mobile devices.
“Severe weather knows no boundaries and we must do everything we can to prepare and protect Kentucky families,” said Gov. Beshear. “This drill provides businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, government agencies and schools with a great opportunity to update emergency plans and practice ways to stay safe during a tornado.”
According to the governor, severe weather is Kentucky's "most constant threat," pointing to the recent flooding in the eastern part of the state. Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency last month due to the flooding. He toured the area to see the impact first-hand.
“Being prepared for severe weather starts with identifying threats and risks,” said Michael Dossett, director of KYEM. “Testing your emergency plan during Severe Weather Awareness Week with family members and co-workers helps ensure we all will be ready for the next severe weather event that threatens our Commonwealth.”
One simple way Kentuckians can prepare for severe weather emergencies is by having a tornado plan in place. The governor's office sent out the following guidelines for developing a tornado safety plan.
A good tornado plan should:
- 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 employees or family members know where the designated shelter is located.
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 a pre-designated safe area, 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. Determine if the designated shelter was large enough for everyone, easy to access and uncluttered.
- Help emergency managers and weather officials improve weather notifications and awareness campaigns by completing a short online survey, available at kyem.ky.gov/Preparedness/Pages/Tornado.aspx.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.