March 19, 2012 — The Commonwealth of Virginia's Tornado Preparedness Day is Tuesday. The University is participating in the statewide tornado drill, scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. The University will test its emergency notification system, and the Health System will conduct a tornado procedures drill.

During the emergency notification system test you should:

• Receive a UVaAlerts text message (and possibly email) if you have signed up; click here to sign up
• Receive an email on your University email account
• Receive a page if you are part of the U.Va. Health System
• Hear an announcement if in the U.Va. Medical Center complex
• See a test message on your computer if the desktop pop-up is installed
• See a test message on the U.Va. home page
• See a display on LED or LCD screens in some areas and classrooms across Grounds
• Hear the outdoor siren and public address system if you are outside

Health System employees will be provided with specific guidance on drill procedures and performance expectations.

For those not in the Health System, unless you are in a meeting, in class or engaged in a critical activity when you see or hear the test tornado message, you should practice moving to a safe location or take a minute to plan how you would take shelter from a tornado. This minute of effort may save your life one day.

For further information, see the tornado fact sheet listed here. Contact the Office of Emergency Preparedness at 434-982-0565 or uvaoep@virginia.edu if you have questions or comments. Health System questions should be directed to PIC 1655 or uvahcc@virginia.edu.