Iowa Severe Weather Awareness Week 2025, Statewide Tornado Drill Wednesday (03.26)
The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week, Monday (03.24) through Friday (03.28).
Floyd County Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Webster advises utilizing multiple sources to stay abreast of severe weather, from weather radios to local media like KCHA and 95.1 The Bull and by signing up with Alert Iowa.
Webster says safety officials also rely on multiple sources to track severe weather.
Webster says that intel can help determine when officials head out into the field to spot and track severe weather.
Severe Weather Awareness Week highlights weather safety with a focus on different types of events every day, starting with Lightning Safety on Monday.
Tuesday’s focus is on Tornado Safety, Wednesday’s is Preparedness, Thursday’s is Hail and Wind Safety, and Friday wraps up with Flood Safety.
In addition to staying severe weather aware, Webster also encourages having a “safe place” to gather if that severe weather descends upon you.
*Info on more severe weather safety tips:
The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 24-28, 2025.
“Iowa is familiar with extreme weather and flooding. Last year, we faced some of the worst weather in recent state history,” said HSEM Director John Benson. “It’s important that Iowans take the time now to prepare themselves and their families so they know what to do if severe weather is headed their way.”
Iowans are encouraged to take the following steps to be better prepared:
- Be aware of weather hazards by signing up for emergency notifications through Alert Iowa (alert.iowa.gov), enabling WEA alerts on your mobile phone, and having a weather radio.
- Create or check your emergency kit to make sure you have everything you need in case you have to shelter in place or evacuate.
- Practice what you would do in the event of severe weather and how you would take shelter or how you would evacuate.
- Check your insurance coverage on your home and auto and know what is and what is not covered.
- Take an inventory on paper or by picture of your home and keep it in your go bag or virtually in case you have to report damages.
- Learn more about how to be better prepared at ready.iowa.gov.
During Severe Weather Awareness Week, a different subject will be highlighted each day:
- Monday – Lightning Safety
- Tuesday – Tornado Safety
- Wednesday – Preparedness
- Thursday – Hail and Wind Safety
- Friday – Flood Safety
The annual statewide tornado drill will take place on Wednesday, March 26, beginning at 10 a.m. Additional information about the tornado drill can be found on local NWS websites.
