Statewide tornado drills set this week in Illinois, Kentucky

During National Severe Weather Awareness Week, the National Weather Service and local agencies will hold their annual statewide tornado drills in Illinois and Kentucky.

The Illinois statewide drill will be held on Tuesday at approximaetly 10 a.m.

No separate test watch or warning via TV or radio will be issued, but instead it will be issued in conjunction with the weekly NOAA Weather Radio Test and via social media platforms. Local counties, cities, and municipalities may or may not sound their outdoor sirens during this time.


Kentucky’s annual statewide tornado drill will take place on Wednesday at 9:07 a.m.

The Emergency Alert System will be activated, including your NOAA Weather Radio, local TV and radio stations, and cable.

Local emergency management agencies will likely test their storm sirens and review other safety procedures.

Families, schools and businesses are reminded to practice their own tornado safety plan this week.

If there is a threat of severe weather on Wednesday, the drill will be postponed to a fair-weather day.