Severe Weather Awareness Week is underway and KCII is preparing for Wednesday’s statewide tornado drill. KCII’s Severe Weather Action Team will be live on the air during the drill tomorrow, providing information about severe weather and interviews with local authorities.

Washington and Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Smith explains the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning depends on the severity of the weather. A watch is when a storm is likely to become strong, while a warning states a strong storm is in the area and citizens need to take precautions to remain safe. For the full interview with Smith listen to tomorrow’s Washington Page and tune in to KCII for the statewide tornado drill at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

If there is an actual severe weather event Wednesday, the drill will be postponed to Thursday at 10 a.m. The KCII staff is on call around the clock, every day of the week and consists of trained weather spotters. Also, KCII is connected to area authorities through EAS equipment and is in direct contact with the National Weather Service, AccuWeather and Weather Eye meteorologists. And even when the power goes out we stay on air with our back up generators.