Virginia holds statewide tornado drill

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The state Department of Emergency Management says more than 1 million Virginians participated in a statewide tornado drill.

The drill was held at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday. It was a joint effort between the state emergency officials and the National Weather Service.

At that time, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasted a test warning from the National Weather Service. The test warning also aired on television and radio stations.

When the test warning was heard, participants were told to move to a safe area, such as a basement, bathroom or closet on the lowest level of a building.

Over the last two years, 62 tornadoes have hit Virginia. Ten people were killed, more than 100 were injured and dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed.