NWS plans tornado drill, encourages participation

Aaron McGuire
·3 min read

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The National Weather Service of Abilene and San Angelo is planning to transmit a routine weekly test message at the beginning of April, and it’s encouraging residents to practice a tornado drill alongside it. Here’s when it is, what to expect and how the National Weather Service wants you to prepare.

When and what?

According to the NWS, the test message will be sent out on Wednesday, April 3, at 10 a.m. The message will be sent through the Emergency Alert System, and due to its format, it may or may not activate certain NOAA weather radios.

During this time or at a more convenient time, all residents, businesses and schools across West Central Texas are encouraged to conduct a tornado drill.

According to KLST’s chief meteorologist, the message comes as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week and is intended to allow schools to practice a tornado drill.

Tornado preparation

When it comes to preparing for a tornado (or tornado drill), the NWS recommends following two life-saving rules: Have at least two ways to receive life-saving NWS warnings automatically, such as NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio and a cell phone with a weather app; and have a safe shelter plan before the storm and practice it.

The NWS also has a list of safety rules that one should follow depending on the environment that they find themselves in. Below is a list of these rules, categorized by their corresponding environments:

If at home

  • If you have a tornado-safe room or engineered shelter, go there immediately.

  • Go at once to a windowless interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the

  • building.

  • If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

  • Get away from windows.

  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

  • If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If at work or school

  • Go to the area designated in your tornado plan. This is usually the interior most room, on the lowest floor away from windows.

  • Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

  • Stay low with your head against the wall and use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If outdoors

  • If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.

  • If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter: Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.

If in a car

  • If you encounter flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort:

    • Stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket if possible.

    • If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car, and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

    • Be aware of the potential for flooding.

  • Your decision may vary depending upon your specific circumstances.

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