Tornadoes can strike anytime of year and anywhere, so you need to know the drill and stay informed.

Tornadoes are extremely violent storms and often appear suddenly with little notice. Developing a plan and practicing it often is critical.

Recognize the Signs

• Persistant lowering of the cloud base
• If it is night, look for flashes of light at the ground level vs. looking at the sky. These flashes are power lines that are being snapped by strong winds and perhaps a tornado.
• Whirling debris or dust on the ground are signs of a tornado, but sometimes there is no visible funnel.
• Intense wind shifts, hail, and heavy rain. In Virginia, many tornadoes can't be seen due to heavy precipitation.
• If there are heavy thunderstorm watches and warnings, be alert because these are ideal conditions for tornadoes.

Watches and Warnings - What is the difference?

• A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for a potential tornado. Monitor your local radio and TV station and monitor your weather-alert radios for information.
• A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted in the area or has been identified by the National Weather Service Doppler radar. Take cover immediately when a tornado warning has been issued.

There will be a Statewide Tornado drill on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at 9:45 a.m. To register to participate in this drill and to learn more about disaster preparedness, click here.