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Governor's Proclamation

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Tornado Preparedness Day

WHEREAS, tornadoes often form unexpectedly and their destructive power can cause significant property damage and loss of life wherever they touch down; and

WHEREAS, a total of 55 tornadoes struck the Commonwealth during the past two years, injuring more than 220 citizens and causing more than $46 million in damage to homes, businesses and other property; and

WHEREAS, planning and preparing for tornadoes and severe storms can often reduce the impact of these emergencies on our citizens and their property; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, local emergency management offices and the National Weather Service designate a day each year to focus Virginians’ attention on tornado safety awareness and important life-saving procedures to be used in the event of a tornado; and

WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to know where to seek shelter during a tornado whether at home, at work, at school or elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency management encourages schools, colleges and universities, businesses and families to participate in a statewide test tornado drill to be conducted by Emergency Alert Systems and broadcast by NOAA Weather Radio on March 16, 2010, at 9:45 a.m.;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize March 16, 2010, as TORNADO PREPAREDNESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.