NWS TO CONDUCT TORNADO DRILL
On Tuesday, Feb. 28, between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., the National Weather Service office in Midland will conduct a tornado drill to allow the public to prepare for the 2006 severe weather season. The exact time of the drill will not be divulged in order to preserve a small degree of the “surprise factor” that is inherent with a true tornado warning. Public information statements will be provided in the coming weeks to remind the public to begin preparing for the drill. These statements can be found on the NWS Midland homepage at http://weather.gov/midland. The public information statements will also be broadcast daily on NOAA All Hazards Radio.
The warning will be issued for the following counties in Texas: Andrews, Borden, Brewster, Crane, Culberson, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Jeff Davis, Loving, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Scurry, Terrell, Upton, Ward, and Wink.
The goal of the drill is to involve as much of the public as possible so individuals can practice what to do during an actual weather emergency. The test tornado warning will be issued just like a real tornado warning by forecasters on duty that day. It will go out via routinely issued text products as well as across the airwaves on NOAA’s All Hazards Radio, commonly known as Weather Radio. Tones and alarms will sound alerting individuals that the test tornado warning has been issued and to take cover just as one would during a real tornado. Some of your local Radio and TV stations and emergency management offices may also relay this warning in your area. Please spread the word so as many people as possible will know about the drill and be able to participate. In the event of adverse weather on the planned day of the drill, it will be performed on the next available good weather day.
Check with your local radio or TV station, or cable outlet to see if they will air this practice warning. For more information, contact Lora Mueller or Rebecca Gould at (432) 563.5006 or via email at Lora.Mueller@noaa.gov or Rebecca.Gould@noaa.gov.