This week, March 2nd through the 8th, is Severe Weather Preparedness Week for both Kentucky and Indiana. Kentucky administered its state wide Tornado Drill earlier today at 10:07 a.m. EDT. Indiana has two Tornado Drills planned for tomorrow. The first will occur between 10:30 and 11 a.m. EDT and the second between 7 and 7:30 p.m. EDT.

January and February was marked by unseasonably stormy weather for much of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. In between minor snow and ice events, January delivered two outbreaks of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to the region. One on January 10th that produced an EF-1 tornado in Barren County that created winds up to 100 mph. A second more powerful system arrived at the end of the month, on January 29th producing widespread wind and tornado damage. Included in these tornadoes, was one that skipped across parts of Metro Louisville producing damage in several parts of the city. This tornado was also rated an EF-1 with top winds of 105 mph.

Following a very active January, February was not to be outdone. A very powerful storm system plowed into the region late on Tuesday, February 5th. With what has now been coined as “Super Tuesday”, this storm produced a record number of February tornadoes for any one storm system in the US. In total, 82 tornadoes tore across five states, including more than 20 in the state of Kentucky alone. Unfortunately, 55 people perished in the storms. Among the Kentucky counties struck by tornadoes from this storm were; Monroe, Meade, Hardin, Hart, Spencer, Nelson, Hart, Spencer, Shelby, Washington, Franklin, Mercer, Harrison and Clark.

If the frequency and intensity of the severe storms we’ve seen recently across the region is any indication of how this spring will go, then we are in for a long severe weather season. Here are those all important Tornado Safety tips that may help to save your life when the time counts...

Tornado Safety Tips
If a tornado warning is issued for your location, take the following steps immediately…

If you are at home:
• Go at once to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.
• If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a small inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
• Go to the center of the room. Debris can sometimes drive through walls.
• If you have time, get a mattress or blankets to protect your head. If you don't have time, use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• If you live in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere in a permanent building.

If outdoors:
• If possible, get inside a sturdy building.
• If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a vehicle:
• Never try to out drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
• Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.

Remember to Stay Tuned to WHAS11 and Stay Safe!