Chesapeake In The Know

On March 19, City employees will be participating in the Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill and we want to encourage all of you to prepare as well. Tornadoes can and do happen in Chesapeake. Unlike hurricanes, we don’t get a week’s notice before its arrival so the time to make a plan is right now.

Identify safe rooms at home, school, and work. A safe room should be on the lowest floor of the building and have no windows. A closet or an interior hallway are both good options.

Know the lingo. A “Tornado Watch” means conditions are favorable so you need to be aware that a tornado is possible. A “Tornado Warning” means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you should take shelter immediately.

If you are outside during a tornado and cannot get to a sturdy shelter, get into a vehicle and buckle your seatbelt. Put your head down and cover your head with your hands. If there is no car or shelter, find a ditch or area lower than the ground and lie down, covering your head with your hands. You are safer in a low, flat location than under a bridge or overpass.

Go over these plans with your children, family, and friends and encourage them to do the same. You can learn more about emergency preparation at Ready.gov.