Virginia to host its 2025 statewide tornado drill

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A statewide tornado drill will take place across Virginia in mid-March. Here's how you can participate.

At 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) -- in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS) -- will host the 2025 Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill.

"Every school, business, workplace and family across the Commonwealth is strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill," VDEM said in a press release.

The statewide tornado drill is an opportunity to practice your tornado emergency plan. The VDEM provided the following recommendations on how you can participate:

• While at home: Go to your pre-designated shelter area. Ideally, this is a basement or storm cellar. If you do not have a basement or storm cellar, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level of your home. It should be as far away from windows, doors or outside walls as possible.
• While at work: Go to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of your building. Ideally, this will be on the lowest floor and as far away from glass as possible. An interior stairwell is usually a good place, per VDEM, and you can quickly get to the lowest level. Once there, crouch and cover your head.
• While at school: Follow your school's drill plan. As you are told, go to your pre-designated shelter area, such as an interior hall or a room without windows. This should not be a large room like a gym. Crouch with your head down and protect the back of your head with your arms.

If you plan to take part, you can let VDEM know here. According to the release, registering helps the organization track how many people participate.

At the start of the drill, the NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System will broadcast a tornado drill alert via the "Required Monthly Test" function. Cell phones will not receive a message and an actual tornado warning will not be issued.

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A communication will not be sent out once the drill is over.

"It will simply be over when individuals, groups, schools, businesses, organizations, or families feel that they have adequately practiced their tornado shelter procedures," VDEM said.

For more information, click here.