Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 27-31, is an opportunity to highlight the importance of being aware of, and prepared for, severe weather.  It is also an ideal time to review your family’s emergency plan, check the contents of your emergency kit, and sign up to receive alerts to stay weather aware.

Register for Johnson County specific alerts at http://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=JohnsonCountyAlerts

You can also register via text.  Text JohnsonIA to 67283.

The annual statewide tornado drill will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29.  In the event of severe weather that day, the drill will be postponed and held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 30.  The purpose of the drill is to ensure that Iowans can adequately receive a Tornado Warning and practice actions that should be taken in the event of a tornado.

The test will be sent through all communication channels normally used for severe weather dissemination.  Please note: third-party mobile applications will vary in behavior and performance based upon the coding within the application.

Due to the statewide test happening near Johnson County’s normal test day, which is at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, Johnson County will not test outdoor sirens on Wednesday, April 5.  The normal testing cycle will resume at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3.

Additional information about the tornado drill can be found on local NWS websites.