Warning siren testing to take place countywide March 23 as part of State of Iowa Tornado Drill

The Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency wants to take this opportunity to notify the public of the intent to conduct a countywide tornado drill and testing of the city emergency sirens throughout the county Wednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. This will allow Allamakee County to participate in the State of Iowa Tornado Drill as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is being observed March 21-25 this year. The purpose will be to activate the warning sirens in all six cities in the county when the National Weather Service issues a test Tornado Warning on NOAA Weather Radio at approximately 10 a.m.

In addition to the National Weather Service announcing the drill via NOAA Weather Radio, they will also use social media. Also, a test alert message will be sent out on the Alert Iowa system for those who have signed up for the tornado warning notification feature. In conjunction with the siren activation, the Allamakee County Courthouse and other County facilities will conduct a tornado drill at that time. This is also an opportunity for all businesses and the public to review their own tornado response plans.

In the event of actual or potential severe weather on that date, the test will be rescheduled to coincide with the normal monthly siren testing Thursday, April 7 at 10 a.m. Any changes to the original plan will be provided to the public via local radio and media.