Tornado Drill to be held in Allamakee County April 6 in conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are one of Iowa’s most common hazards. That is why it is important to prepare for these types of emergencies. Do all local residents know what to do when severe weather affects their area? How do they know when it is time to seek shelter and where to go?
These are the types of questions and procedures Allamakee County Emergency Management will check with the Annual Tornado Drill scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 at 10 a.m. This drill is held in conjunction with the National Weather Service and is an opportunity for all citizens to review their severe weather procedures. This drill is statewide and all persons in Iowa are encouraged to participate in this drill.
The drill will proceed as follows:
• 10 a.m.: Tornado Watch (drill) given over NOAA Weather Radio. No sheltering required.
• 10:15 a.m.: Tornado Warning (drill) given over NOAA Weather Radio. Everyone should proceed to designated shelters immediately.
• 10:30 a.m.: All Clear (drill) given over NOAA Weather Radio.
*** If there is actual severe weather April 6, the drill will be postponed to April 7 at 10 a.m. ***

The National Weather Service defines its two levels of severe weather public awareness measures as follow:
Watch - A National Weather Service product indicating that a particular hazard is possible, i.e., that conditions are more favorable than usual for its occurrence. A watch is a recommendation for planning, preparation, and increased awareness (i.e., to be alert for changing weather, listen for further information, and think about what to do if the danger materializes).
Warning - A product issued by National Weather Service local offices indicating that a particular weather hazard is either imminent or has been reported. A warning indicates the need to take action to protect life and property. The type of hazard is reflected in the type of warning (i.e., tornado warning, blizzard warning, etc.).*
* Definitions taken from the National Weather Service Website: http://www.weather.gov/

TORNADOES, AND WHAT TO DO
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground. The peak tornado months are May and June (July is third), but tornadoes can occur any time of year if conditions are right. Peak tornado time is 3-9 p.m., but they can occur day or night, and may be hard to spot or wrapped in rain at times. Tornadoes are not always visible and can form with little advance warning.
Have a good source of weather information. Consider NOAA Weather Radio. If a tornado or funnel cloud is spotted, or a warning is issued for the local area, take action to protect lives and property.
At home...
• Move to a sturdy building. Shelters are more safe than mobile homes.
• Stay away from windows. Do not try to open or close windows.
• Stay away from outside doors and garages.
• Move to a basement and get under something sturdy.
• In structures with no basement, move to the lowest level and get in an interior room, like a bathroom or closet.
• Put as many walls between people and the storm as possible.

At work...
• Move to a basement or interior hallway on the lowest level.
• Leave large span rooms.

At school...
• Leave classrooms that have windows or that are on the exterior of the building.
• Leave large span rooms, like gymnasiums or auditoriums.
• Seek shelter in interior rooms and get under desks or sturdy objects.
• Be careful in hallways that may act as wind tunnels and funnel debris.
• Move students off buses and back into the school.
• Do not let students board buses during a Tornado Warning.

When traveling...
• Do not try and outrun a tornado.
• If the tornado is some distance away, drive away from it.
• If the tornado is relatively close, leave the vehicle for a sturdy building.
• If no shelter is available, seek refuge in a ditch or culvert. Crouch down and protect the head.

If outdoors...
• Find a shelter, if possible.
• If boating or fishing, move to shore.
• If no shelter is available, seek refuge in a low spot. Crouch down and protect the head.

Staying informed of hazardous and life threatening weather is key to severe weather survival. NOAA Weather Radio is one source of weather information directly from the National Weather Service. Every school should have and monitor a NOAA Weather Radio.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At the touch of a button listeners can hear the:
• Regional weather summary.
• Current weather conditions, including hourly wind chill values.
• The seven-day forecast.
• Radar summaries and short term forecasts.
• Any watches, warnings, or advisories in effect.
• Hazardous Weather Outlooks (top and bottom of the hour).
• Other pertinent weather information as needed.
The National Weather Service in La Crosse, WI currently operates nine radio transmitters that serve the weather needs of the tri-state area.