2025 was an active severe weather year across the Four State Area of Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, East Texas, and Northern Louisiana. 35 tornadoes were recorded along with numerous events of large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding. With the peak of severe weather season fast approaching, the National Weather Service in Shreveport has designated the week of March 1st Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week. This is a safety campaign designed to help residents of the region prepare for the fall severe weather season.
For 2026 Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week, the following safety topics will be highlighted:
Sunday, March 1st: Make a Plan – Making sure you know what to do before storms threaten the area.
Monday, March 2nd: Flash Flooding – Highlighting the danger of flash flooding along with safety tips.
Tuesday, March 3rd: Lightning Safety – Highlighting the importance of seeking a grounded, fully enclosed structure with ANY storm that approaches, with a special emphasis on delaying outdoor activities until the threat of lightning ends.
Wednesday, March 4th: Tornadoes – Highlighting safety tips to help people identify safe shelters, and develop a family emergency action plan before storms arrive.
(The Routine Weekly NOAA Weather Radio Test on Wednesday will include instructions for a tornado drill. We encourage all area residents (including all area schools) to test out their tornado safety plans during this time. The test and tornado drill will occur at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4th. If thunderstorms are in the area on this day, the drill will be postponed to Thursday, March 5th).
Thursday, March 5th: Severe Thunderstorms – Focusing on the dangers of large hail and damaging wind gusts.
Friday, March 6th: Watches & Warnings / Warning Reception Methods – Providing information on what it means to be under a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch or Warning, and what actions are recommended when watches and warnings are issued.
Saturday, March 7th: Mobile Home Safety – Being prepared is essential, especially if you live in a mobile home. Learn about alternative shelters in the event you are in a mobile home and severe weather is likely.
Four States Area Tornado Drill March 4
This test will be sent as a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio Test at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
What you will hear: “This is a test tornado drill for the National Weather Service in Shreveport’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. Use this drill to practice your tornado sheltering plan. Remember, a real Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been detected by radar or has been spotted. Take immediate action to protect your life! Stay away from windows, doors, and exterior walls. Repeating, this has been a test tornado drill for the National Weather Service in Shreveport’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. This concludes the test.”
What you can do during the test:
• Go to a shelter area, such as a basement or the lowest level in the building.
• If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.
• If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, evacuate your home and move to a safe shelter or a sturdy building such as a concrete community building.
• Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
• Crouch down on the ground next to or under something sturdy and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Do no open the windows.
In the event of a real Tornado Warning, stay in your shelter until the threat has passed.
For more information regarding how to prepare your tornado sheltering plan, please visit www.ready.gov/tornadoes.
If severe weather is expected or ongoing during this time, the scheduled backup time/date for the tornado drill is 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 5.
NWS will not send another alert tone to conclude the tornado drill. Real Tornado Warnings do not contain an “all clear” message. Once the warning expires or is cancelled, the threat has passed.
