Statewide Tornado Drill a "GO" for today

 

April 24, 2014

For more information contact: Tod Pritchard          Office: (608) 242-3324 Cell: (608) 219-4008         

Media Advisory

Statewide Tornado Drill a “GO” for today

Despite cloudy skies and rain, test will take place

 

Officials with the National Weather Service (NWS), Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) met this morning and determined that no severe weather was expected in Wisconsin today. Therefore the schedule statewide tornado drill is a “go”.

DRILL SCHEDULE:

1:00 p.m. – National Weather Service issues a mock tornado watch for all of Wisconsin (a watch means tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms).

1:45 p.m. - National Weather Service issues mock tornado warning for all of Wisconsin (a warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated on weather radar. Move to a safe place immediately).

2:00 p.m. – End of mock tornado watch/warning drill

Most local and state radio, TV and cable stations will be participating in the drill. Television viewers and radio station listeners will hear a message at 1:45 p.m. indicating that “This is a test.” The mock tornado warning will last about one minute on radio and TV stations across Wisconsin and when the test is finished, stations will return to normal programming.  

In addition, alerts for both the mock tornado watch and warning will be issued over NOAA weather radios. Be sure your weather radio is turned on for this test.  If the alarm on your weather radio does not go off for this test, check your weather radio's programming and quality of reception.

The drill will also occur at the same time in Minnesota and will be broadcast on radio and TV stations in that state as well.