This coming Wednesday marks the annual Statewide Tornado Drill across the state of Iowa, an opportunity for residents to understand their plan when severe weather impacts their community.

Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chad Hahn with the National Weather Service says it’s critical for anyone to be ready to receive alerts related to tornadoes and intense thunderstorms — and for many, they just need to look at the destruction from last year’s severe weather events to understand the potential impact of those weather threats.

Hear more about Severe Weather Awareness Week during the statewide tornado drill at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. KNIA/KRLS is airing a special program highlighting how we partner with local and state officials to provide up-to-date severe weather information during our live coverage of severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in Marion, Warren, and Jasper Counties.