Central Nova News

The City of Alexandria is set to participate in a statewide tornado drill on March 11 at 9:45 a.m. as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs from March 10 to 14. This initiative is a collaboration between the City of Alexandria Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), and the National Weather Service (NWS).

During the drill, individuals at work or school are encouraged to practice their organization's tornado plan by moving calmly and quickly to designated shelter areas. Those at home should identify an interior room with minimal windows for shelter during a tornado. Residents in apartment or condo buildings should locate designated tornado shelters and make plans for accessing them if needed.

For those outside or in vehicles during the drill, it is advised to review steps for seeking shelter inside sturdy buildings or low-lying areas.

Severe Weather Awareness Week aims to educate people about seasonal severe weather threats and how to avoid them. The week serves as an opportunity for residents to create and practice emergency plans. "We urge all Alexandrians to prepare for severe weather by participating in Severe Weather Awareness Week," said a representative from OEM.

Additional information can be found on the Office of Emergency Management website and the National Weather Service website. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts from the City.

For disability accommodations, contact Curice Paulus at curice.paulus@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5296, Virginia Relay 711. For communication in other languages, free interpretation and translation services are available via email at LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or by calling 703.746.3960.