Kentucky Weather Awareness Week is underway, and local emergency officials are encouraging Johnson County residents to take part in a statewide tornado drill coming up Wednesday morning.
According to Paintsville-Johnson County Emergency Management Director Paul Burchett, the Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for 10:07 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, March 4th.
The drill is part of Kentucky Weather Awareness Week, which focuses on severe weather preparedness across the Commonwealth.
During the drill, the National Weather Service will test the weather alert system.
That test could also activate Johnson County’s Hyper-Reach Communications system, which would clearly indicate that it is only a test.
At the same time, severe weather sirens will also be tested across the county.
Schools, businesses, and residents throughout Johnson County and eastern Kentucky are encouraged to participate by reviewing and practicing their tornado safety plans—moving to an interior room on the lowest floor and staying away from windows.
Throughout the week, the National Weather Service, Paintsville-Johnson County Emergency Management, and Kentucky Emergency Management will be sharing safety information on social media.
Officials say practicing now can help save lives when severe weather strikes eastern Kentucky.