Indianapolis, Indiana – Severe Weather Preparedness Week begins Sunday across Indiana, encouraging residents to review storm safety plans and emergency alerts.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Indianapolis and Northern Indiana, March 8–14, 2026 has been designated Severe Weather Preparedness Week statewide. The initiative is part of the Weather-Ready Nation program, which aims to improve public awareness and response to dangerous weather events such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, hail and damaging winds.
The campaign includes daily safety topics shared throughout the week, with educational posts explaining different severe weather hazards and preparedness steps. Officials say the goal is to help residents understand risks and take action before storms occur.
One of the week’s key events is a statewide tornado drill scheduled for Wednesday morning, when emergency alert systems and NOAA Weather Radio will broadcast a test message. The drill allows schools, businesses and households to practice tornado safety procedures and identify safe shelter locations.
The National Weather Service notes that severe thunderstorms cause more than 280 fatalities annually in the United States, highlighting the importance of preparation before storms develop.
Safety guidance promoted during the week includes:
- Moving indoors and away from windows during severe winds or hail
- Seeking shelter immediately in a sturdy structure during tornado warnings
- Avoiding flooded roadways and creeks during heavy rain
- Going indoors when thunder is heard to reduce lightning risk
Officials encourage residents to enable Wireless Emergency Alerts and NOAA Weather Radio notifications to receive life-saving warnings quickly.
The campaign may be particularly relevant for students, young drivers and daily commuters, who often travel during peak storm hours in spring.
Additional preparedness resources are available at weather.gov.
