KOSCIUSKO — Emergency Management Agency Director Ed Rock has announced that Kosciusko County will conduct the statewide tornado drills at 10:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.

If the drill is postponed due to weather, the drill will be moved to March 20.

Every year, on average, Indiana is hit by 21 tornados. Too often warnings go unheeded, are not heard, or people don’t know where to safely shelter.

The National Weather Service, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Kosciusko County Emergency Management are urging everyone to be prepared for all disasters by:

• Being aware of conditions.
• Use a weather alert radio or an app on your phone that will notify you any time of the day or night when you are at risk.
• Have a plan of how you and your family will react to the hazardous situation.
• Ensure all members in your household know where to go for shelter.
• The location they would move to in severe weather, ideally a basement. If a basement is not available, go to an interior room on the lowest level with no windows. Storm cellars also offer excellent protection.
• Use the Drill on March 19^th to test your plan.
• Have a kit or “Go Bag” ready. View a suggested kit online here.

Flooding also threatens Hoosiers during the spring months. Driving on flooded roadways can often place residents and emergency response personnel in unnecessary danger. Never drive through flooded roadways, even if the water appears shallow. The road may have washed out under the surface of the water.

For more information on preparing for severe weather, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.