In 2023, the Carolinas experienced more tornado damage than hurricane damage. With this in mind, it is time to put Tornado Preparedness on the top of your To-Do list for this month.

If you do not already have one, consider adding a weather radio to your preparedness action plan.  This is the best way to know what weather is coming, how long it may last, and how much damage might be expected.  Our recommendation is the Midland WR120 Weather Radio, which is available from many retailers.  With a battery backup, it will work with or without AC power.

The National Weather Service office in Wilmington, which covers much of the coastal areas of North and South Carolina, published this reminder about Severe Weather Preparedness and statewide tornado drills: 

For South Carolina, the week of March 3-9 has been designated as Severe Weather and Flood Preparedness Week. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ilm/severeweathersc for a variety of information regarding severe weather and flooding safety topics. The South Carolina Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for Wednesday March 6th at 9:00 AM. This is also a good time to make sure that any NOAA Weather Radios have new batteries. 

For North Carolina, the week of March 3-9 has been designated as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The link for our NC partners to share is: https://www.weather.gov/ilm/severeweathernc which includes the same suite of severe weather and flooding safety information as the link provided above. The North Carolina Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for Wednesday March 6th at 9:30 AM. Please make sure any NOAA Weather Radios have new batteries.

This is a great time to begin reviewing safety procedures and test your ability to respond to the test Tornado Warning (issued as a Routine Monthly Test) on March 6th. So please have these discussions with your co-workers, staff, students, and family about what to do if a tornado threatens your area.

Lastly, regarding the statewide tornado drills – not all weather radios will tone alert for test messages as they would for an actual Tornado Warning. If you are planning to participate in the drill and your radio does not activate when the test message is issued, then you will have to self-activate to start your drill.

Have a plan, practice your tornado drill on March 6, and check our Facebook page  www.facebook.com/ldrcarolinas for special posts during this preparedness week!