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 2025 Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill for Tuesday, March 11 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, and the notification WILL NOT be sent to cellular phones.

 Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) DO NOT sound an audible alert for the RMT product, but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received. As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:45 AM on Tuesday March 11, 2025, there’s a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not automatically sound an alarm.

Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following: 

• Turn your radio on to listen to the broadcast by 9:40 am and when you hear the alert, simply start your tornado drill at 9:45 AM. 
• If you do not have an NOAA Weather Radio simply start your drill and enact your safety plan at 9:45 AM.

There will be no follow-up statements issued by the National Weather Service (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 NWS. 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 2025 Statewide Tornado Drill here https://www.vaemergency.gov/2025-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. Lightning 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