March is Severe Weather Awareness Month in Kentucky

DEM Blogger

February 27, 2015

Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed March as “Severe Weather Awareness Month in Kentucky.”

Weather is always a threat in Kentucky: There have been a total of 13 presidential major disaster declarations during Gov. Beshear’s time in office. All of these disasters have been weather related.

As part of severe weather awareness activities, a statewide tornado drill is being conducted in conjunction with the proclamation.

At approximately 10:017 a.m. EST, Tuesday, March 3, the National Weather Service (NWS), partnering with Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee (KWPC) and Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) will issue a tornado warning test message.

Outdoor warning sirens will sound across Kentucky communities; weather alert radios will activate; and television and radio stations and mobile devices will broadcast the alert – allowing the public the opportunity to practice tornado safety measures.

The broadcast test message will emphasize this is only a test of the alert system. During the test alert, all Kentuckians, businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, educators and government agencies are encouraged to practice their tornado safety drill and update their emergency plan.

Severe weather preparedness begins with knowing the risks:

If you do not have a tornado plan in place, consider these guidelines:

KYEM is offering an online survey form that each participant is encouraged to complete and submit. The results will be used to help determine the effectiveness of the drill and to identify ways to improve readiness and alert notifications.

The survey, weather safety tips, helpful links and resources can be found on the KYEM website at: http://kyem.ky.gov. This is where you can follow KYEMPIO on Twitter, like us on facebook and sign up for mobile alert messages. Additional information is on the National Weather Service’s website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/severe.html .

If inclement weather is in the forecast on March 3, the Statewide Tornado Drill will be rescheduled.