2017 Virginia Tornado Drill

The Statewide Tornado Drill is a yearly opportunity to prepare Virginians for tornado emergencies and to test public warning systems.

Save the date! The 2017 Statewide Tornado Drill will take place on Tornado Preparedness Day, Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at 9:45 a.m. (If widespread severe weather threatens the Commonwealth on that date, then the drill will be on Wednesday, March 22, at 9:45 a.m.)

At approximately 9:45 a.m., the National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning over NOAA Weather Radios. This test signal will sound a tone alert, show a test message or flash to indicate a message, simulating what people would hear or see during an actual tornado warning. Local radio stations, TV stations and cable outlets will also broadcast the test message via the Emergency Alert System.

To participate, start your own tornado drill when you hear the test signal over NOAA Weather Radio or broadcast media.

Show your support by registering for the tornado drill. In recent years, 1 million Virginians have signed up for the drill.