Recent deadly tornado damage in Alabama – a storm that killed 23 – highlights the need for everyone in Indiana to be prepared for the potential of deadly storms this spring.
Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week will run during the third full week of March. The Indiana Broadcasters Association in cooperation with the National Weather Service is conducting a test of the state Emergency Alert System on Tuesday, March 19 at 10:15 a.m. that will include a Live Tornado Warning alert. The 15-minute alert is done to ensure the system is working properly in the event of an actual tornado.
“Testing our state’s EAS is critical to saving lives,” said IBA Executive Director Dave Arland. “With permission from the Federal Communications Commission, broadcasters will be listening for the Live Tornado Warning alert issued by the National Weather Service and alerting our listeners and viewers about the test. Making sure that alerts are broadcast as designed allows our TV and radio stations to better prepare for when an actual alert is necessary. These alerts are often the first line of defense in making sure Hoosiers are able to find shelter and safety when dangerous weather strikes.”
Next Tuesday’s test is part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week which runs March 17-23 and includes coordinated efforts to work with their residents, businesses, and government agencies across Indiana on preparedness activities.
“Hoosiers should review their tornado safety procedures frequently”, says Dan McCarthy, Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, “but this week is the one week highlighted to review safety actions for tornadoes and practice those actions during the statewide test.”
In the event of severe or inclement weather, the test will be rescheduled and held on the morning of Wednesday, March 20.
The National Weather Service, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Kosciusko County Emergency Management are urging everyone to be prepared for all disasters by:
- Being aware of conditions
- Use a weather alert radio or an app on your phone that will notify you any time of the day or night when you are at risk.
- Have a plan of how you and your family will react to the hazardous situation
- Ensure all members in your household know where to go for shelter
- The location they would move to in severe weather, ideally a basement. If a basement is not available, go to an interior room on the lowest level with no windows. Storm cellars also offer excellent protection.
- Use the Drill on March 19th to test your plan.
- Have a kit or “Go Bag” ready
- For a suggested kit go to: https://www.kcgov.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=879
