Governor Eric Holcomb has proclaimed March 10-16, 2024 to be Severe Weather Preparedness Week in the state of Indiana.
The National Weather Service, in conjunction with the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the American Red Cross, and Amateur Radio Operators will conduct a statewide test of communication systems on Tuesday, March 12 at 10:15 AM EDT/9:15 AM CDT.
Important Notes – while the drill will be sent using live TOR EAS coding (Tornado Warning), it is only a test, and will be postponed to Wednesday, March 13 if weather conditions warrant. The test warning will activate the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and include SAME activation on NOAA Weather Radio.
As part of NWS efforts to build a Weather Ready Nation, the goal of Severe Weather Preparedness Week is to better educate people about the hazards of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, and to help everyone be prepared when severe weather occurs. Each day will focus on a different topic:
- Sunday: Kick-Off: Discuss partners’ roles in severe weather
- Monday: Severe Weather Outlooks and Watches: Partners’ roles at the outlook and watch stages of an event
- Tuesday: Warnings: Taking action when warnings are issued (Statewide Tornado Drill Day)
- Wednesday: Response: Partners’ roles in responding to disasters (real-time response)
- Thursday: Recovery: Partners’ roles in the recovery process (days/weeks/months after disaster)
- Friday: Weather Ready Nation: How we are working to build a Weather Ready Nation
- Saturday: Wrap-Up: Importance of preparedness and action during threatening hazards
For information on National Weather Service Impact-Based Warnings (IBW) and what their content indicates, click here.
