In 2004, 86 tornados touched ground in the state of Virginia, 14 just in the Fredericksburg area.

The Virginia Emergency Management Division wants to make sure you and your family will be safe if a tornado touches.

Coordinator Dawn Eischen says sometimes you only have seconds to react.

At 9:45 Tuesday morning, you will get a chance to practice what you would do if a tornado touches ground.

Eischen says it doesn’t matter if you’re at work or at home, everyone should participate in the statewide drill.

Eischen says the majority of tornados that occur in the commonwealth are after 3 p.m. so it’s a good idea to know and plan where you would go if there’s a tornado warning issued.

She says practicing your emergency plan will help keep you safe and calm during a tornado.

If there's a tornado warning, Eischen says go low and stay low, either a basement or the center of your home or office building, where you're away from windows.

Date published: 3/14/2005

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