CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Severe Weather Awareness Week in West Virginia will be highlighted by a statewide tornado drill at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The drill will be done through the state Emergency Alert System (EAS), according to state Division of Homeland Security Public Information Officer Lora Lipscomb.
“It will make the alert sound on any kind of weather radio, the radio stations, the television stations will have it. It will not be a text alert this time,” Lipscomb said.
There aren’t many tornadoes in West Virginia but Lipscomb said that doesn’t mean residents shouldn’t be ready in case one does happen.
“We want to make sure everybody is ready for every weather event that could possibly happen here in West Virginia,” she said.
State emergency officials have a Monday news conference scheduled in Harrison County to mark the upcoming 75th anniversary of Shinnston Tornado. The June 1944 tragedy claimed the lives of 153 West Virginians.
Lipscomb said that tragedy is a reminder of what can happen. She said organizers of Tuesday’s warning urge many take part.
“What we hope that schools, businesses and families will take this time to practice any type of tornado safety they have plans for,” Lipscomb said.