Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa kicks off Monday. The week-long observation is being promoted by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, National Weather Service, and Iowa Emergency Management Association. Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says the key to being safe this spring is to be aware of the weather forecasts and any watches or warnings, “Be alert. Know what your risks are, and that’s the big thing. We live in Iowa, you know in the winter we snow and in the spring we see storms. Don’t take it lightly when you hear a warning.”

An annual tornado drill will be held Wednesday at approximately 10 a.m. KCII Radio will be playing that announcement live on the air Wednesday morning. Schools, businesses, the military, and individuals are strongly encouraged to participate in the drill. Any time there is a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning issued for Washington County, KCII will pause normal programming and bring you live up to the minute coverage of the storm. Should the power go out, we’ll stay live on air with our emergency back-up generators.