ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- The depot's 2018 installation wide tornado drill was held March 1 at 2:15 p.m.
This was an opportunity for employees to practice their sheltering plans and ensure readiness in case of a severe weather emergency while at work.
Tornado watch: Issued by the National Weather Service, tornado watches occur when tornadoes are possible in your area.
What to do: Remain alert for approaching storms. This is the time to remind family members or coworkers about the safest places to go and listen to the radio or television for further developments.
Tornado Warning: Local NWS offices issue tornado warnings. Tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted, or Doppler radar indicates a thunderstorm circulation, which can spawn a tornado.
What to do: When a tornado warning is issued for your town or county, take immediate safety precautions. The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction. Tornadoes in this region typically happen in late spring and occasionally the early fall. Tornadoes have occurred more frequently in Alabama over the past five years.
WHEN TORNADOES HAPPEN
• Tornadoes may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
• Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
TORNADO SIRENS
What should I do when I hear the sirens?
When you hear tornado sirens, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.
Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.
How can I get alerts when I'm at work or in a building?
For alerts indoors, ANAD uses the AtHoc mass warning and notification system and NOAA Weather Radio.
AtHoc provides multiple ways of receiving severe weather alerts (desktop computer, work phone, cell phone). However, you must sign up in the AtHoc system to receive alerts and notifications at home and on cell phones.
NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area, so you can take appropriate action.
WHEN ARE SIRENS TESTED?
Sirens are tested at ANAD every Wednesday at 1 p.m. Sirens will not be tested if inclement weather is predicted for that day and time.
The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather.
Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat.
Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio and local media outlets.
NOAA ALL-WEATHER RADIO
If you don't have a NOAA Weather Radio, there are other methods for receiving forecasts, watches and warnings from the National Weather Service. Tune in to your local radio and television stations for the latest news and updates on the situation.
What to look for: The most desirable feature in a NOAA Weather Radio is an alarm tone. This allows you to have the radio turned on, but silent, listening for a special tone that is broadcast before watch and warning messages, which give immediate information about life-threatening situations.
The radio should operate on batteries during times when electrical service may be interrupted. Look for radios with an AC adapter and a battery compartment.
The radio should be able to tune in to all seven NWR frequencies. For the latest list of frequencies and transmitter locations, check the NOAA Weather Radio website.
The hearing and visually impaired can receive watches and warnings by connecting weather radio alarms to other kinds of attention-getting devices, such as strobe lights, pagers, bed-shakers, personal computers and text printers.
SEVERE WEATHER SAFE AREAS
All ANAD buildings are government property and are the direct responsibility of the ANAD Commander. During a tornado emergency, each building designated as severe weather safe areas will be open for shelter.
Building owner/coordinators will plan for and accommodate people who seek shelter in their Emergency Action Plan.
Do not shelter in areas with chemical vats, large roof spans or overhead cranes, hoists and other loose equipment. Close all steel rollup doors on occupied buildings during storm warning events. Go to interior rooms or areas with the shortest possible roof span overhead.
INCLEMENT WEATHER STATUS
Inclement weather conditions could warrant a change in the depot's operational status. In the event of hazardous weather conditions, tune in to local area media for changes.
Radio Stations: WCKA -- AM 810, 94.3 and 97.1 FM; WDNG -- AM 1450; WGRW -- 90.7 FM; WTDR -- 92.7; and WVOK -- 97.9 FM.
TV Stations: WBMA -- ABC 33-40, WBRC -- Fox 6, WVTM -- NBC 13 and WIAT -- CBS 42.
Newspapers: The Anniston Star will also post information on their website at www.annistonstar.com.
For additional winter weather information, visit the Winter/Severe Weather Awareness page on the ANAD homepage, check the ANAD Facebook page or call the SNOW line at 256-235-SNOW (7669).
To sign up for the Emergency Management Modernization Program mass warning and notification system, otherwise known as AtHoc, instructions are located on the Intranet. The AtHoc link is on the right side of the main page.
Social Sharing