The 2017 Statewide Tornado Drill will take place on Tornado Preparedness Day, Tuesday, March 21, at 9:45 a.m. If widespread severe weather threatens the state on that date, then the drill will be on Wednesday, March 22, at 9:45 a.m.
The Statewide Tornado Drill is a yearly opportunity to prepare Virginians for tornado emergencies and to test public warning systems.
What Will Happen
At approximately 9:45 a.m., the National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning over NOAA Weather Radios. This test signal will sound a tone alert, show a test message, or flash to indicate a message, simulating what people would hear or see during an actual tornado warning. Local radio stations, TV stations, and cable outlets will also broadcast the test message via the Emergency Alert System.
If you have signed up for tornado warnings through CodeRED, Campbell County’s new emergency alert system, you will receive a test tornado warning. You will receive the warning in the format you signed up for: a phone call, a text message, and/or an email.
Participation in the Statewide Tornado Drill
Groups and individuals may register and participate in the State wide Tornado Drill by holding a drill after you hear the test signal. The details on how to do that plus tornado safety tips are available on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) website, http://www.vaemergency.gov/.
CodeRED Information
The Campbell County Department of Public Safety urges all residents to sign up for CodeRED. If you have not signed up for CodeRED, follow these instructions:
• To register online, go to www.campbellcountyva.gov and click on the CodeRED icon on the home page. Once on the CodeRED registration page, you can enter your contact information and select the types of alerts you’d like to receive. There is no direct charge to you for this service.
• Please note: If you live in Campbell County but have another locality’s zip code, please contact the Department of Public Safety if you have difficulty registering online.
• If you need assistance registering or if you do not have access to the internet, you may contact the Campbell County Department of Public Safety office at 434-332-9540 or visit any Campbell County Public Library branch to provide your contact information.