The Iowa Statewide Tornado Drill will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. The statewide drill allows us to test our planning and readiness and practice seeking appropriate shelter in case of a tornado. Faculty, staff, and students should participate in the drill by following campus severe weather plans and going to the lowest level of their building, away from doorways and windows.

March 25–29 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in the State of Iowa. Every year on the fourth Wednesday of March, the State of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department in conjunction with the Governor’s office run a statewide tornado drill.  Drake University will participate in this drill to test our own procedures and protocols. The University will test its campus notification systems, consisting of the sirens located on the blue light phones and the Bulldog Alert system at the same time the City of Des Moines and Polk County test their emergency sirens.

Know these terms to help identify a tornado hazard.

Tornado watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately. Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head.

Tornado Preparedness Checklist:

https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/get-help/pdfs/tornado/EN_Tornado-Safety-Checklist.pdf

Tornado Facts:

• Tornadoes can last from mere minutes to several hours.
• Tornadoes have touched down on every continent except Antarctica.
• Most tornado activity occurs in the afternoon and evening.
• The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.

—Jen Rasmussen, Environmental Health & Safety