Governor proclaims March 12 as Tornado Preparedness Day
10501 Trade Court
Richmond, Virginia 23236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 28, 2013
Governor proclaims March 12 as Tornado Preparedness Day
Citizens can participate in statewide tornado drill
set for 9:45 a.m.
National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning that will trigger a tone alert and broadcast message on NOAA Weather Radio.
The message will be picked up by TV and radio broadcasters, simulating what listeners will hear during an actual tornado warning.
“Tragically, many Virginia families and communities have been affected by deadly tornadoes in recent years, and recovery continues in many places,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “Knowing what to do when a tornado warning is issued can save your life, so we encourage everyone to participate in the upcoming Statewide Tornado Drill.”
On March 12, businesses and organizations, schools and colleges, and families and individuals are encouraged to practice taking cover from tornadoes during the Statewide Tornado Drill, set for 9:45 a.m. At that time, the National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning that will trigger a tone alert and broadcast message on NOAA Weather Radio. The message will be picked up by TV and radio broadcasters, simulating what listeners will hear during an actual tornado warning.
When the test tornado warning is sounded, people should move as quickly as possible to a safe area in a sturdy building. Safe areas are basements, interior rooms, bathrooms, closets or hallways on the lowest level of a building. In choosing a safe area, stay away from windows. Once in the safe area, crouch down or sit on the floor, facing down, and cover heads with hands.
“The best and fastest way for anyone to get a tornado warning is by NOAA Weather Radio,” said Bill Sammler, NWS warning coordination meteorologist. “With a weather radio, you get weather data directly from the nearest National Weather Service office.
When we issue a tornado warning, the weather radio sounds an alarm or flashes lights and then gives information on where the storm is, which way it’s moving, and telling people in its path to take cover. This radio could be a lifesaver.”
NOAA Weather Radios with SAME alerts are available at electronics and sporting goods stores, discount and department stores, and online. They come in battery-powered models, and many also have AM/FM bands. A special needs NOAA Weather Radio is available as well. The special-needs NOAA Weather Radio can warn deaf and hard-of-hearing persons of hazardous conditions, giving them around-the-clock, up-to-the-minute weather information.
For help in conducting a tornado drill and to register for the statewide drill, go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov. Although registration is not required, people participating in the statewide drill are encouraged to sign up to show their support. The annual drill is a joint effort of VDEM and NWS.
View the Governor’s proclamation for Tornado Preparedness Day: http://www.vaemergency.gov/ready-virginia/stay-informed/tornado/gov-tornado-proclamation
Here’s a look back at tornadoes in Virginia during 2012:
- 11 tornadoes were recorded (8 EFO and 3 EF1).
- There were no deaths, but six people were injured.
- Property damage totaled $3 million.
- The highest number of tornados occurred in June (6).
- 51 tornadoes hit, the second highest number on record (87 struck in 2004).
- In April, 10 people died and more than 100 were injured.
- Most tornadoes occurred during April, but tornadoes also were recorded in March, May, August, September, October and November.
- In April, 212 homes and 17 businesses were destroyed; more than 1,050 homes and businesses were damaged.
- Nearly every part of Virginia experienced tornadoes, including mountain areas.
- One-third of the tornadoes struck at night when people were asleep.
Governor's Proclamation - Tornado Preparedness Day
CERTIFICATE of RECOGNITIONBy virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the governor of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:
Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:
TORNADO PREPAREDNESS DAY
WHEREAS, tornadoes often form unexpectedly and their destructive power can cause significant property damage and loss of life; andWHEREAS, a total of 62 tornadoes struck Virginia during the past two years, with the second highest number on record occurring in 2011, killing ten people and injuring more than 100; and
WHEREAS, many Virginia communities continue to heal from the affects of tornadoes in 2012 that injured six people and caused $3 million in property damage and from the 2011 twisters that destroyed at least 212 homes and 17 businesses and damaged more than 1,050 homes and businesses; and
WHEREAS, tornadoes can affect every part of the Commonwealth and can hit during every part of the year during daytime or nighttime; and
WHEREAS, planning and preparing for tornadoes and severe storms reduces the impact of these disasters on our citizens and their property, and all Virginians should know where to seek shelter during a tornado whether at home, at work, at school or elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and local emergency management offices designate a day each year to focus Virginians’ attention on tornado safety awareness and important life-saving procedures to be used in the event of a tornado; and
WHEREAS, a Statewide Tornado Drill is sponsored annually by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service and schools, colleges and universities, businesses and organizations, families and individuals are urged to participate in the drill set for March 12, 2013, at 9:45 a.m. when NOAA Weather Radio and Emergency Alert Systems will broadcast a test tornado warning message;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize March 12, 2013, as TORNADO PREPAREDNESS DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
http://www.vaemergency.gov/ready-virginia/stay-informed/tornado/gov-tornado-proclamation
