KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Kosciusko Emergency Management Agency encourages residents, local businesses and schools to participate in the statewide tornado drill at 10:15 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 22.

This drill will include the activation of severe weather sirens in those communities who have such systems.

Should a conflict arise, a back-up date for the drill has been set for the same times Wednesday, March 23, according to Ed Rock county emergency management director.

The intent is to test all sirens, Informers and All Hazard Weather Alert Radios in Kosciusko County and practice disaster procedures.

Here are some suggestions:

Plan

• Purchase a weather radio whose label indicates that it is “all-hazards” and broadcasts alerts from the National Weather Service. Look for “NOAA” on the label (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Also look for the SAME Technology designation, which allows the radios to be programmed to specific counties and types of alerts.
• Know the difference between watches and warnings. A watch indicates a seriously increased possibility of a thunderstorm or tornado; a warning indicates that there – is – a thunderstorm or tornado in the area.
• Ensure that household members know which local news media outlets to monitor for severe weather alerts, and to take those alerts seriously. Remember that national cable, satellite or streaming TV services may not carry localized weather alerts.

Prepare

• Create a preparedness backpack that includes food and water for three days, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, small tools and any other important items that are needed.
• Prune tree limbs and secure outdoor items that could be tossed about by high winds.
• Keep cell phones charged, and ensure all household members have several emergency contact numbers of friends and family members programmed in.
• Know which neighbors may have disabilities or mobility challenges, and be able to direct first responders to those who may need extra help.

Practice

• Take household members – quickly but calmly – to the location (ideally a basement; secondarily the center of an interior room with no windows, on the lowest level of the building) they would move to in severe weather.
• Practice moving under a sturdy table or desk, or pulling a mattress into a protective position.
• Walk through potential evacuation routes, both from the home and the neighborhood.
• Conduct a family drill in which children pretend to call 911 and calmly talk with an emergency dispatcher (a family member or friend can be on the other end of the line, requesting appropriate information).

If you live in Kosciusko County and can not afford an All Hazards Weather Alert Radio please contact Kosciusko County Emergency Management at (574) 267-7888.