ROLLING FORK, Miss.–You should be aware that Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. many people and businesses will participate in a statewide tornado drill. It’s part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week across Mississippi.
The National Weather Service observes and conducts the week on its web page and social media and also asks the people of Mississippi to pay attention to the different slides and presentations they will be sending out all week.
“Severe weather, it happens just about any time of the year,” said National Weather Service Forecaster Eric Carpenter. “Of course, we are in an area that gets frequent tornado events. Sometimes we get tornado outbreaks.”
Carpenter said one reason one of the main focuses is on tornadoes is because they are the most damaging and have the potential to take life and property in a quicker and more potent manner than other forms of severe weather.
“We have mobile homes and mobile home parks and places that can be severely impacted by tornadoes. So, we maintain a constant awareness for the potential for severe weather.”
Carpenter said each day this week will have a different focus. Sunday was a day about planning. Monday is about severe storms. Tuesday is about flash flooding. Wednesday’s focus is tornadoes, along with the drill. Thursday is lightning. Friday is a focus on the different types of warnings and the best ways to get them. Saturday is about mobile home safety. Most of the info can be found at www.weather.gov/jan and the Jackson Weather Service office social media pages.
