On the morning of Wednesday, January 16, Largo Fire Rescue, City staff and Pinellas County will join the state in the annual Great Tornado Drill. The drill is a lighthearted opportunity to prepare, practice and test emergency plans in case of a sudden tornado. This is a great drill for schools, businesses, households, community centers and other locations where organizations meet.
WHAT DO I DO?
Once the group is in the safe room, participants can take a selfie and post it on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) using the hashtag #PCtornadodrill. The best photo entries will win a NOAA Weather Radio, which issues emergency weather warnings.
• Prepare
• Inform staff/students
•Review and refine a tornado plan
JANUARY 16: DAY OF THE DRILL
After 8am:
Consider a Tornado Watch to be in effect. A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and weather should be closely monitored.
• Announce the “test of the Tornado Watch” to staff and/or students
• Designate someone to coordinate emergency procedures
• Evacuate tornado-vulnerable areas
At 10am:
Consider a Tornado Warning to be in effect. A warning means that a tornado is very possible or one has been spotted.
• “Receive” the emergency message (Simulate this yourself. You will only receive a test alert if you are signed up for Alert Pinellas. You can sign up at www.pinellascounty.org/alertpinellas).
• Drill coordinator determines this is an immediate threat and gives a “take shelter” or “duck and cover” command (depending on space available at location). Remember to reiterate that this is only a drill.
Take a selfie and post it using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill.
10:30am:
Termination of Watch and Warning
• Give instructions to return to normal activities (You will not receive notification. Terminate the drill as you see fit.)
AFTER THE DRILL WRAP-UP
• Following the drill, assess and revise the plan as needed.
