The City of Alexandria Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is partnering with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week March 10 to 14. 

On Tuesday, March 11 at 9:45 a.m. the City will participate in a statewide tornado drill.  

What to do During the Tornado Drill 

If you’re at work or school, this is a great time to practice your organization’s tornado plan and proceed calmly and quickly to your designated shelter area.  

If you’re at home, take the time to identify the most interior room in your house with the fewest windows that you can shelter in during a tornado. Apartment and condo buildings may have designated tornado shelters – take the time on March 11 to identify where those shelters are and make a plan to get there in the event of a tornado.  

If you find yourself outside or in a vehicle during the drill, review the steps you can take to either get inside a sturdy building or seek shelter in a low-lying area.  

Severe Weather Awareness Week 

Severe Weather Awareness Week is designed to refresh, remind, and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It’s also a great time to make and practice your emergency plan! We urge all Alexandrians to prepare for severe weather by participating in Severe Weather Awareness Week. Visit the Office of Emergency Management website and the National Weather Service website for more information, and sign up for emergency alerts from the City to stay informed of weather threats and other information.  

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Curice Paulus at curice.paulus@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5296, Virginia Relay 711.  

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.