Sunshine Sentinel

Pinellas County Government is inviting residents to participate in the statewide Great Tornado Drill on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m. Schools, organizations and individuals are asked to simulate a Tornado Warning, find a safe place to take cover, and take a selfie photo to post on social media using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill.  

A tornado can hit within minutes after a Tornado Warning is issued. The annual Great Tornado Drill is an opportunity to plan ahead, identify safe places to take cover in the event of a tornado, and practice emergency communications methods in classrooms, offices and other daytime gatherings.

Pinellas County will select three winning social media photos from the public. The winning schools, organizations and individuals will receive an emergency weather radio. Photos will be judged based on proper “duck and cover” techniques.

Guidelines for the drill 

Before the drill 

• Designate an emergency coordinator 
• Inform others at home, school or work 
• Review and refine a tornado plan (Find information about planning for a tornado at pinellas.gov/know-your-risk) 
• Make sure you are signed up for Alert Pinellas to receive emergency notifications: pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas 

The day of the drill 

Feb. 8 – After 8 a.m.

 Consider a Tornado Watch to be in effect. A watch means tornadoes are possible in your area.  

• Remain alert for approaching storms and closely monitor the weather. 
• Listen to your emergency NOAA weather radio. 
• Make the announcement, “Tornado Watch. THIS IS A DRILL.” 

Feb. 8 – At 10 a.m. 

Consider a Tornado Warning to be in effect. A warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. It is time to take cover!

• “Receive” the TEST emergency message from Alert Pinellas. 
• “Receive” the TEST message on your NOAA emergency weather radio. 
• Go to the tornado safe space and take cover. (Find information about staying safe during a tornado at pinellas.gov/know-your-risk) 
• Take a selfie and post it on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill 

After the drill  

Wrap–up

• Following the drill, discuss, assess and revise your tornado plan as needed. 

Severe Weather Awareness Week 

The Great Tornado Drill is a part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs Monday to Friday, Feb. 6 – 10, with an emphasis on a specific weather event for each day.: 

• Monday, Feb. 6: Lightning 
• Tuesday, Feb. 7: Marine hazards and rip currents 
• Wednesday, Feb. 8: Thunderstorms and tornadoes 
• Thursday, Feb. 9: Hurricanes and flooding 
• Friday, Feb. 10: Temperature extremes and wildfires 

Original source can be found here.