Weather
Georgia Tornado Drill Today: NOAA Radio Test at 9:30 AM
Atlanta, GA – Residents across Georgia may hear a special tornado preparedness message on NOAA Weather Radio Friday morning, Nov. 6, as emergency officials conduct a statewide drill designed to help c
By Grant Holloway · 2026-11-06T11:11:20.256Z
Atlanta, GA – Residents across Georgia may hear a special tornado preparedness message on NOAA Weather Radio Friday morning, Nov. 6, as emergency officials conduct a statewide drill designed to help communities prepare for dangerous severe weather.
The scheduled 9:30 a.m. test is part of Georgia's Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Day and does not indicate an actual tornado emergency.
According to the National Weather Service office in Columbia, South Carolina, a test message will be transmitted at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time through all NOAA Weather Radio transmitters based in Georgia.
The special broadcast replaces the routine weekly test.
The National Weather Service says the drill is being conducted in partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency as part of statewide severe weather preparedness efforts.
Unlike a real tornado warning, the scheduled message is intended to help residents review emergency procedures and understand how weather alerts are communicated.
Officials also confirmed that no test alert will be broadcast through NOAA Weather Radio transmitters based in South Carolina as part of this Georgia exercise.
Residents are encouraged to review tornado safety plans.
The drill provides an opportunity for families, schools, businesses and workplaces to identify safe shelter locations and practice what to do if a real tornado warning is issued.
During an actual tornado emergency, residents should seek shelter in a basement or small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
Emergency officials also encourage residents to maintain multiple ways of receiving weather warnings, including NOAA Weather Radio and trusted local emergency notification systems.
Although Friday's broadcast is only a test, the National Weather Service emphasizes that sharing accurate warnings from reliable sources during real emergencies can help save lives.
Residents can find additional tornado safety information at weather.gov/tornado .