Indianapolis, In. — Severe weather in Alabama recently resulted in the death of 23 people and storm season is on the horizon in Indiana.
Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 17 through 23.
The Indiana Broadcasters Association along with the National Weather Service will conduct a test of the state Emergency Alert System Tuesday, March 19th at 10:15 a.m. EDT (9:15 CT) that will include a Live Tornado Warning alert. The 15-minute alert is done to ensure the system is working properly in the event of an actual tornado.
“Testing our state’s EAS is critical to saving lives,” said IBA Executive Director Dave Arland. “With permission from the Federal Communications Commission, broadcasters will be listening for the Live Tornado Warning alert issued by the National Weather Service and alerting our listeners and viewers about the test. Making sure that alerts are broadcast as designed allows our TV and radio stations to better prepare for when an actual alert is necessary. These alerts are often the first line of defense in making sure Hoosiers are able to find shelter and safety when dangerous weather strikes.”
“Hoosiers should review their tornado safety procedures frequently”, says Dan McCarthy, Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, “but this week is the one week highlighted to review safety actions for tornadoes and practice those actions during the statewide test.”
In the event of severe or inclement weather, the test will be rescheduled and held on the morning of Wednesday, March 20th.
