Statewide tornado drill set for 10:07 a.m. Wednesday in Lexington and across Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – As part of Kentucky’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, communities across the commonwealth will participate in the annual Statewide Tornado Drill at 10:07 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 4.
Lexington Emergency Management will take part in the drill, along with emergency management agencies statewide.
During the drill, the National Weather Service, in partnership with Kentucky Emergency Management, will issue a test tornado warning message that will activate weather alert radios.
In Fayette County, outdoor tornado warning sirens will sound at 10:07 a.m. and will continue for approximately two minutes. Officials say the sirens will produce a steady wail as part of the test.
Emergency officials are asking residents not to call 9-1-1 during the drill.
The LexAlerts notification system will also send a test message to those who are registered for weather alerts. The message will clearly begin with the words “this is a test.”
This year, the drill will activate the Emergency Alert System, including NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, and cable override systems. However, the drill will not trigger a Wireless Emergency Alert on mobile phones.
Officials encourage Kentuckians to use the drill as an opportunity to practice tornado safety plans at home, school or work. That includes identifying a safe shelter location — such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows — and reviewing emergency supplies.
If severe weather is forecast for March 4, the statewide tornado drill could be postponed or canceled.
More preparedness information is available at BeReadyLexington.com, on the Lexington KY Emergency Management Facebook page, and on X at @LexKYEM.
