Dubois County Participates in Statewide Tornado Drill March 10

Dubois County will join Indiana’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 8–14, by taking part in the statewide Tornado Communications/Warning Exercise scheduled for about 10:15 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. County outdoor warning sirens — including those in the City of Jasper — will sound, NOAA Weather Radios will be activated, and the test message will be distributed through most notification systems, including the statewide Emergency Alert System (EAS).

NWS and Indiana Department of Homeland Security material sets the technical frame for the exercise: “At about 10:15 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, NWS will issue a test tornado warning alert, which will be shared through most notification systems, including the statewide Emergency Alert System (EAS).” The drill is being coordinated statewide with the National Weather Service, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana State Police. Local officials caution that if severe weather poses an actual threat on March 10, the exercise will be postponed until March 11, and there will be no evening drill.

Dubois County Emergency Management Agency is offering local support ahead of the test, including programming assistance for the Midland WR-120 NOAA weather radio model; residents with questions are asked to call Dubois County EMA at 812-482-2202. County emergency planners and IDHS officials emphasize that the drill’s purpose is practical: every business, school and family should use the statewide drill to practice where to go, what to do and what to take in the event of a real tornado warning, strengthening plans for Jasper-area schools, employers and households.

NWS preparedness-week materials outline daily themes used during March 8–14 in Indiana: Monday — Receiving Weather Information; Tuesday — Lightning; Wednesday — Tornadoes; Thursday — Wind and Hail; Friday — Flooding. The agency’s public-safety lines include direct guidance on flooding and driving: “Stay Out of the Water” and “Do Not Drive Into Floodwaters,” noting that as little as 2 feet of water can float most cars. NWS also promotes spring storm spotter trainings — “Become a Storm Spotter” — to train volunteers on what information local offices need during severe events.

Indiana’s schedule differs from neighboring states because each state sets its own preparedness week and drill time. Missouri’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week runs March 2–6, and the Missouri statewide tornado drill is slated for March 4 at 11:00 a.m. CST. Boone County, Missouri, for example, will activate NOAA radios and outdoor sirens on March 4; Chris Kelley, Director of Boone County Emergency Management, said, “Severe weather is a reality in Missouri, and preparation is our strongest defense. The statewide tornado drill gives our residents, schools, businesses, and public safety partners an opportunity to practice their plans now, so they are ready to act quickly and confidently when real warnings are issued.” Missouri state emergency material also highlights that the National Weather Service reported 16 Missourians died because of tornadoes in 2025, underscoring why drills and awareness campaigns matter.

Residents in Dubois County should expect a loud test at about 10:15 a.m. EDT March 10, should own or consider purchasing a NOAA weather radio, and may call Dubois County Emergency Management at 812-482-2202 for Midland WR-120 programming help. IDHS and NWS will push preparedness messaging during the week on social media — “Follow IDHS and use the hashtags #SevereWx and #SWPW!” — as part of the larger goal to reduce injuries and loss of life during tornadoes and other dangerous storms this season.