Statewide tornado drills in Kentucky, Illinois next week

As the calendar turns to March and the beginning of meteorological spring, the National Weather Service in Paducah is reminding everyone to be mindful of spring severe weather preparedness and safety.

Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri will all observe Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week through March 7. That includes the execution of a statewide tornado drill.

Kentucky's drill will occur next Wednesday, March 5, at 9:07 a.m. It'll be heard on local radio stations to make sure the emergency relay system is in working order. It will also be heard on your weather radio, where a TOR code will be displayed.

The statewide drill in Illinois will happen on Tuesday, March 4 around 10 a.m. On your weather radio it will appear as a routine weekly test, or RWT on the screen.

Some cell phones will also display the drill. Emergency sirens may or may not be activated in your county at the option of local authorities. 

The drill is also an opportunity to practice your tornado safety plan, whether you are at home, school, or work.