A statewide tornado drill is expected to take place Wednesday and the Wapello County Emergency Management Coordinator says multiple entities within the county will participate.
In a press release, Tim Richmond says the cities of Ottumwa, Agency, Eddyville, Eldon, and the Cardinal Community School District will take part in the drill which is expected to begin at 10:00 AM. State officials will issue a test tornado watch over the NOAA weather radio. In the event of severe weather, the drill will be canceled.
Outdoor Weather Sirens will sound during the tornado drill or actual severe weather. The sirens serve to warn the public of confirmed hazardous weather conditions.
Richmond listed the following criteria that will set off the warning system:
- 1. Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service
- 2. Report of a tornado from law enforcement, fire department, emergency management or NWS trained spotter
- 3. Wind Speed 70MPH or greater indicated by National Weather Service or local instrumentation
- 4. Hail 1.75 inch in diameter or greater forecasted by National Weather Service or observed by law enforcement, fire department, emergency management or NWS trained spotter.
Richmond cautions that the Outdoor Warning Sirens are a “take cover” signal and are not an “all clear” signal. When the sirens stop, it does not indicate the threat of hazardous weather has passed.
