2013 North Carolina Statewide Tornado Drill

2013 North Carolina Statewide Tornado Drill

North Carolina’s annual statewide tornado drill for 2013 takes place today, March 6, at 9:30 AM. Schools, businesses and families across North Carolina are strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill.

While this may seem like a fun adventure for younger children who get to miss class for a few minutes, tornado drills are very important for everyone to participate in.  As we all know, tornados can be very destructive and dangerous.  Many lives and homes are taken each year, and having a plan can save you and your loved ones.

Unfortunately, tornadoes do not offer a whole lot of warning, so knowing what to do and practicing your plan is critical.  Experts recommend that in the event of a tornado, head to an interior room of your home or business, if possible, a room with no windows or exterior walls. 

If you have pets, remember to include them in your drill.  During severe thunderstorms and hurricanes with Tornado Watches, my family prepares the house by closing every door.  This keeps the cats and the dog in a smaller area of the house, making it easier to “catch” them in the event of an emergency.  Each adult grabs two cats, Tanner grabs a blanket and calls the dog, and we all hit the guest bathroom.  The guest bathroom is stocked with an emergency kit which includes first aid, weather radio, flashlight and batteries and drinking water.  This may seem silly to some, but having grown up in North Alabama where tornados are all too common, and living in coastal areas for 18 years of Hurricanes & tropical storms, I take these things very seriously.  I have seen what they can do.

If you live in North Carolina, please participate in the 2013 Statewide Annual Tornado Drill and be sure that your family is prepared.  For more information about tornado drills and other events for North Carolina and other states, and how to be prepared, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml.

Please note that in the event of actual severe weather occurring this morning, the NC Statewide Tornado Drill will be postponed until Friday, March 8^th, 2013 at 9:30 am.