Virginia is holding its annual statewide tornado drill at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 10.

Coincident with the statewide drill at 9:45 a.m. and at 6:45 p.m. for second shift, NNS will sound the shipyard whistle for three 30-second blasts at 30-second intervals. The electronic “Send Word Now” notification system will be activated with text and email messages during the 9:45 a.m. drill. Five minutes after the drill is initiated, the one-minute “all clear” whistle will sound to conclude the drill. If actual severe weather occurs on the morning of March 10, the alternate date for the drill is 9:45 a.m. Thursday, March 12.

Personnel are not required to actually take shelter, but they should recognize the tornado warning signal and know where they would move in the event of an actual tornado. If shipbuilders in buildings beyond the shipyard gates experience difficulty hearing the tornado warning signal, storm contacts/managers in those areas should discuss the upcoming drill and the steps that would take place in the event of an actual emergency.

Guidance for shipbuilders on shipyard property during a tornado warning:

Building – Stay in the building. Move away from windows to an interior room or hallway. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture if available. Move to the ground floor if you can do so without going outside.

Shipboard – Stay on the ship. Take shelter in the ship away from openings.

Portable Buildings/Trailers – Move to the nearest substantial building/structure (e.g. ship unit on the FAP) or ship immediately and take shelter.

Vehicle – Abandon the vehicle immediately and take shelter in the nearest substantial building/structure or ship.

Outside – Move away from the tornado’s path at right angles and take shelter in the nearest substantial building/structure or ship. If there is not time to escape to shelter, lie flat in the nearest depression.

Visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s website for additional information on tornado preparedness. In the event of severe weather, shipbuilders are reminded to check the Employee Information Phone Line (1-877-871-2058) and the NNS to Go app for the latest updates on shipyard operations.