Suff. takes tornado readiness seriously

SUFFOLK, Va (WAVY) - Virginians are preparing for the possibility of dangerous weather--Tuesday is "Tornado Preparedness Day."

Governor Bob McDonnell asked businesses and families to join schools for a statewide safety drill. For some in Suffolk, readiness is a way of life.

"We're definitely more ready now than we were before," Trey Sledge told WAVY.com.

He says he and his wife are prepared to protect their son, Sutton, and one another if a tornado threatens the area.

Kim Sledge said, "I can drive anywhere and any day like today when it's cloudy, I'm always looking. If something's coming, what ditch can I get into? Where can I be safe?"

Those questions have lingered for her for nearly two years. "That was the worst experience I ever had," Kim said,as tears ran down her cheeks.

The sledges rushed to their home in Burnett's Mill in April 2008 when a tornado demolished parts of Suffolk. From Driver and Hillpoint to Elephant's Fork the twister reduced some homes and businesses to piles of rubble.

Kim's son, who was 17 at the time, was home alone.

She recalled, "He got in the bathroom and shut the door there. It was a good thing he was in the bathroom because the tree from the neighbor's house came through and went through his roof in his bedroom."

Virginia's emergency leaders want to make sure every child and adult knows what to do. On Tuesday more than half a million Virginians will practice in an annual tornado safety drill, which is mandatory in public and private schools.

Suffolk Emergency Management Coordinator Capt. Jim Judkins told WAVY.com, "We're hoping businesses and even individuals will do the same thing--actually test their family disaster plans regarding tornados."

Judkins and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management advocate using a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) Weather Radio. The radios sound an alarm that could provide early warning.

"To me it's just as important as a smoke detector in your home," Judkins said. "It is the best and the fastest method to get the information when you need it... It sits quiet until you need it. When the alarm is set it goes off and gives you the information specific to your locality."

The Sledges do not have a NOAA radio. But they do have something every family can get--a plan to act in case of a tornado warning.

"I'll grab the dog, the wife, and the kid, and head for the bathroom. That's the only room we have that doesn't have a window," Trey Sledge said.

The annual statewide drill begins at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service will send out a "test tornado warning" to weather radios. Television and radio stations will also broadcast a test message.