News Flash

Every school, business, workplace, and family across the commonwealth is strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill. 

Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill

Tornadoes can occur any month of the year.  On average, Virginia has 18 tornadoes per year.  The National Weather Service and The Virginia Department of Emergency Management have scheduled the 2024 Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill for Thursday, March 7 at 9:45 a.m. 

The annual Statewide Tornado Drill is an opportunity to prepare Virginians for tornado threats and to test public warning systems.

The drill will start at approximately 9:45 a.m. with a possible test broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT). There WILL NOT be an actual Tornado Warning issued. There will be no follow-up statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill. It will simply be over when your group, school, business, organization, or family feel that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.

Tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year but are most likely from April through September. Have a plan, know your location and surroundings and have a way to receive Watches and Warnings from the National Weather Service. Check to see if your smartphone is set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts. When a tornado watch is issued for your area, review your plan and know where to seek safe shelter when a tornado warning is issued.

Register your home or workplace to take part of the 2024 Statewide Tornado Drill here https://www.vaemergency.gov/2024-statewide-tornado-drill.

What is a tornado?

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from the clouds to the ground and is often, although not always, visible as a funnel cloud. Lightening and hail are common in storms that produce tornadoes. 

Tornadoes may strike quickly, with little to no warning, causing extensive damage to structures and disrupting transportation, power, water, gas, communications and other services in its direct path and in neighboring areas.

TORNADO WATCH – BE AWARE

Tornadoes are possible. Move close to a shelter or sturdy building in case there is a warning.

TORNADO WARNING – TAKE ACTION

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

For more information about tornado preparedness, visit https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/tornadoes.

Goochland's CodeRED Emergency Alert System

Everyone who lives or works in Goochland is urged to register for Goochland’s CodeRED emergency alert system. This system is used by Goochland County to communicate with citizens during emergencies and other critical community situations.  The system also allows citizens to opt in to receive National Weather Service (NWS) alerts automatically when a weather event (flood, tornado, etc.) is triggered in a targeted area of the County.  For more information and to sign up visit: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/1380BACA5A57 .  

Citizens can also enroll by texting GOOCHLANDALERTS to 99411.

Tornado Resources

Virginia Department of Emergency Management – Tornado Safety Tips & Preparedness Guide

https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/tornadoes

Ready.Gov Tornado Safety Tips

https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

National Weather Service – Tornado Safety Tips

https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado

Local Emergency Resources

https://goochlandva.us/494/Emergency-Information