Statewide Tornado Drill

Wednesday, Feb. 8 there will be a Georgia statewide tornado drill at 9 a.m. as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. If the drill needs to be rescheduled due to severe weather, the backup date is Friday, Feb. 10 at 9 a.m.

Georgia was hit by 15 tornadoes April 27 and 28, 2011, which killed 15 people and injured 143 across the state, according to a press release from Ready Georgia.

To protect yourself and your family during severe weather, you should have a plan of action before a tornado develops. Ready Georgia offers these tips:

• Prepare a Home Tornado Plan: Pick a place where family members can gather. 
• Assemble a Ready Kit for Emergencies.
• Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings.
  
• When a Tornado WATCH is Issued, monitor media for the latest weather forecasts and be alert to changing weather conditions. 
• When a Tornado WARNING is Issued, if you are inside go to a safe place to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety.

For more information on how to prepare for severe weather, visit these websites: Ready Georgia, National Weather Service and Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security.