Stock photo of severe weather.

Iowa Severe Weather Awareness Week takes place this year March 21-25. A statewide tornado drill took place on Wednesday, March 23, at 10:00 a.m. as part of the week’s activities.

Preparedness is key, the National Weather Service-Des Moines office stressed in a posting about Severe Weather Awareness Week: “Every year in the United States, hundreds of people are killed and thousands injured because of the weather. Dangerous weather can take many forms, ranging from violent tornadoes to crippling winter storms. With the notable exception of hurricanes, Iowa can experience any of these dangerous phenomena.”

Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity to be aware and be prepared for severe weather.

Below are a few things you can do:

-Review your own emergency plan

-Check the contents of your emergency kit

-Talk with your family members: Do you have a safe sheltering place? Where is your designated spot to meet in case of an emergency? How will you get in touch with each other if cell phone service is down?

-Sign up to receive alerts through your local EMA office, so you can stay aware of any weather alerts that may be happening in your county. Tama County residents can sign up here: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=TamaCountyIowa

-Make sure that your NOAA weather radio is working properly and fresh batteries are in place

Remember, sirens are sounded for tornadoes, wind (70 mph or greater – potential for whole trees to snap or uproot), hail (1.75 inch/golf ball-sized) or larger (potential for windows to break).

Learn More

Additional information about the statewide tornado drill can be found on local NWS websites.

For more information on severe weather preparedness, visit www.weather.gov/dvn/Awareness_Weeks or beready.iowa.gov.

To learn more about local weather spotter training classes, visit https://www.weather.gov/dvn/spotters#schedule.

Tama County’s Emergency Management coordinator, Ryan Goodenbour, would like to know if you participated in the statewide tornado drill by emailing him at rgoodenbour@ema.tamacountyiowa.gov or calling his office at 641-484-6261.