State of Wisconsin Tornado Watch/Warning Drill on April 22, 2004

April 19-23 has been designated as Wisconsin Tornado Awareness Week for 2004. There will be a statewide tornado drill on Thursday, April 22nd. This drill will include a "test" tornado watch announcement at approximately 1:00 p.m. and a "test" tornado warning announcement, which will follow at approximately 1:25 p.m. This test tornado warning will last until 1:35pm.

The Capitol Police recommend that agencies and buildings actually conduct a tornado drill at the announcement of the tornado warning at 1:25 p.m. Agencies will then relocate to the designated shelter using previously established routes. Use of elevators should be limited to mobility-impaired employees and visitors.

Buildings not having public address system capabilities should establish an all-clear procedure within their building, as well as the initial tornado warning message through the use of Floor Captains or phone fan-out procedures.

If severe weather should be present in the state on the day of the test, the drill will be moved to Friday, April 23, at the same time. On the day of the drill, if severe weather is forecast for any portion of the state, the National Weather Service will notify Wisconsin Emergency Management and the decision will be made whether or not the test will be postponed. If severe weather is forecast for Friday, April 23, the drill will be cancelled.

Important definitions to know:

Tornado Watch - conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms with the potential of tornadoes.

Tornado Warning - tornado has been sighted or detected on radar. Take shelter immediately.

Good Tornado Shelter Space - composed of separation from external winds by one or more solid walls and by one or more solid floors above. It also requires freedom from flying missiles through windows, doorways or any sudden separations of normal barriers.

Procedures to follow in case of an actual tornado:

Advise people to move to good shelter space, reminding them to keep clear of window and outside doorways. Employees on upper floors of high rise buildings should evacuate to lower floors, garage levels, interior small rooms, or interior hallways if the announcement indicates. Assist visitors and handicapped individuals to reach adequate shelter.