'Great Tornado Drill' Takes Place Wednesday

CLEARWATER, FL — With El Nino weather patterns promising to kick up some nasty winter storms across the Tampa Bay area, emergency planners in Pinellas County want to help make sure residents are ready.

To that end, Pinellas County Emergency Management is taking part in the “Great Tornado Drill” on Wednesday at 10 a.m. At that time, the National Weather Service will send out a test notification for a mock tornado over its emergency alert radio network. Residents and business owners are invited to take part in the operation by simulating the mock alert at 10 a.m. and proceeding to safe places within their buildings.

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Folks who do take part are encouraged to take selfies of their groups inside their tornado-safe spaces and post them to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #PCtornadodrill. The best photo will win a Weather Alert Radio, emergency management announced in an email to media.

“With El Nino threatening the Tampa Bay region with severe weather this winter and early spring, Pinellas County is partnering with other central Florida counties and the National Weather Service to prepare with the regional Great Tornado Drill,” Irena Karolak, county spokeswoman, told Patch. “Pinellas County hopes that residents will realize that simple preparedness steps such as having a NOAA weather alert radio or mobile app and knowing where to hide if there’s a tornado warning can help save lives.”

El Nino is expected to begin impacting Tampa Bay weather this month with its effects likely to continue through the spring. Forecasters anticipate El Nino will bring wet conditions and an increasing chance for severe weather, including the potential for tornadoes.

To learn more about preparing for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, visit the National Weather Service online.