Pinellas County Tornado Drill set for Feb 5, 2025

Pinellas County Government is encouraging residents to participate in the statewide Great Tornado Drill on Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. Schools, organizations and individuals are asked to simulate a Tornado Warning, find a safe place to take cover, and take a selfie photo to post on social media using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill.   
 

A tornado can hit within minutes after a Tornado Warning is issued. The annual Great Tornado Drill is an opportunity to plan ahead, identify safe places to take cover in the event of a tornado, and practice emergency communications in classrooms, offices and other locations. 
 

Guidelines for the drill  

Before the drill  

• Designate an emergency coordinator.  

• Inform others at home, school or work.  

• Review and refine a tornado plan. 

• Find information about planning for a tornado at ready.gov/tornadoes. Watch a video about tornado safety in Pinellas County: https://youtu.be/dJJ90pcIDgA?si=LJZ4kExoSI_SPtWZ 

• Make sure everyone is signed up for Alert Pinellas to receive emergency notifications: pinellas.gov/AlertPinellas
   

The day of the drill  
Feb. 5 – After 8 a.m. 
Consider a Tornado Watch to be in effect. A watch means tornadoes are possible in your area.   

• Remain alert for approaching storms and closely monitor the weather.  

• Listen to your emergency NOAA emergency weather radio.  

• Make the announcement, “Tornado Watch. THIS IS A DRILL.”  

Feb. 5 – At 10 a.m.  

Consider a Tornado Warning to be in effect. A warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. It is time to take cover! 

• Receive the TEST emergency message from Alert Pinellas.  

• Receive the TEST message on your NOAA emergency weather radio.  

• Go to the tornado safe space and take cover. (Find information about staying safe during a tornado in this video:  https://youtu.be/dJJ90pcIDgA?si=LJZ4kExoSI_SPtWZ)  

• Take a selfie and post it on Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter) using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill  
   

After the drill   

Wrap–up 

• Discuss, assess and revise your tornado plan as needed.  
   

Severe Weather Awareness Week  

The Great Tornado Drill is a part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs Monday to Friday, Feb. 3 – 7, with an emphasis on a specific weather event for each day.:  

• Monday, Feb. 3: Lightning  

• Tuesday, Feb. 4: Marine hazards and rip currents  

• Wednesday, Feb. 5: Thunderstorms and tornadoes  

• Thursday, Feb. 6: Hurricanes and flooding  

• Friday, Feb. 7: Temperature extremes and wildfires  

The National Weather Service has more information on tornado safety.