Every school, business, workplace, and family across the Commonwealth is strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management says the drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System thru the Required Monthly Test (RMT). There WILL NOT be an actual Tornado Warning issued and the notification WILL NOT be sent to cellular phones.
Officials say most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) do not sound an audible alert for the RMT product, but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received. Officials say when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:45 AM on March 11th there’s a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not automatically sound an alarm.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management says since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following: turn your radio on to listen to the broadcast by 9:40 am and when you hear the alert, simply start your tornado drill at 9:45 AM. If you do not have an NOAA Weather Radio simply start your drill and enact your safety plan at 9:45 AM.
There will be no follow-up statements issued by the National Weather Service to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill. It will simply be over when your group, school, business, organization, or family feels that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
Register for the Statewide Tornado Drill at the link below
