Indiana statewide tornado siren test set for Tuesday; St. Joseph, LaPorte counties will not participate Indiana will conduct a statewide tornado siren test on Tuesday morning as part of the state’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The drill is scheduled for 10:15 a.m., during which the National Weather Service will issue a test tornado warning alert. This alert will be distributed through most notification systems, including the statewide Emergency Alert System (EAS). Residents in St. Joseph County will not participate in the test. County officials explained that they conduct regular siren tests on the first Thursday of each month and chose to skip Tuesday’s event to avoid confusing residents. They also cited the potential for actual severe weather later in the day, which could complicate the test’s effectiveness. LaPorte County has also decided not to take part in the statewide drill. Officials in that county provided similar reasoning, noting the risk of real severe weather on Tuesday and the desire to prevent public confusion. Both counties emphasized their commitment to emergency preparedness but prioritized avoiding unnecessary alerts during a time when actual threats could arise. The test is part of broader efforts to ensure residents are familiar with tornado warning systems. While the statewide drill aims to verify the functionality of sirens and alert systems, local officials in St. Joseph and LaPorte have opted for alternative schedules to align with their own testing protocols and weather conditions. This decision highlights the balance between maintaining public awareness and avoiding disruptions during periods of heightened risk.#national_weather_service #indiana #st_joseph_county #laporte_county #emergency_alert_system
Lexington to Participate in Statewide Tornado Drill Wednesday Lexington Emergency Management has confirmed the city’s involvement in the annual statewide tornado drill scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. The event is part of Kentucky’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, an initiative aimed at ensuring residents are prepared for various weather hazards, as outlined by the National Weather Service. The drill will commence at 10:07 a.m. on Wednesday, during which Lexington Emergency Management will activate the city’s tornado warning sirens for approximately two minutes. Officials emphasized that the test is not a real emergency and urged residents to avoid calling 911 during the exercise. Additionally, the LexAlerts notification system will send a test message to registered users, beginning with the phrase “this is a test.” As part of the statewide drill, the Emergency Alert System will be activated, coordinating alerts through NOAA Weather Radio, local television, radio stations, and cable override systems. However, the drill will not trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts on mobile devices. Emergency Management officials encouraged all Kentuckians to use the drill as an opportunity to practice tornado safety procedures. They noted that the event may be canceled or postponed if inclement weather is forecasted, ensuring the safety of participants and the public.#national_weather_service #emergency_alert_system #lexington_emergency_management #kentucky_severe_weather_awareness_week #lexalerts
