Tornado Preparedness Day 2016

P R O C L A M A T I O N

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TORNADO PREPAREDNESS DAY

WHEREAS, March 22, 2016 is Tornado Preparedness Day in Arlington and the date of this year’s statewide tornado preparedness drill; and

WHEREAS, Arlington schools, businesses and residents will have an opportunity to practice their tornado safety plans, and the National Weather Service will be testing its public warning systems; and

WHEREAS, there is no “tornado season”, no part of the Commonwealth is safe from tornadoes, and tornadoes have struck in every part of Virginia in every month of the year; and

WHEREAS, majority of tornadoes occur between 3 and 9 p.m, and the general rule for tornado safety is “go low and stay low,” which means go to the lowest level of the structure, away from windows, and crouch in a low position with your head covered; and

WHEREAS, a tornado watch means current weather conditions may result in a tornado; and a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted and you should take cover immediately; and

WHEREAS, the goal of Tornado Preparedness Day is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for tornados and to encourage individuals to take action; and

WHEREAS, Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management and the Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission are encouraging Arlingtonians to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Libby Garvey, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim March 22, 2016 as

TORNADO PREPAREDNESS DAY

in Arlington and urge all residents to participate on the 22nd, and decide now where to go if a tornado warning were issued.