FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Cumberland County Emergency Management is encouraging residents to participate in 2026’s North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week, scheduled for March 1–7. The statewide campaign is organized by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to promote awareness and readiness ahead of the spring severe weather season.
The campaign will highlight several severe weather safety topics, including methods for receiving emergency alerts, safety guidance for high winds, hail and tornadoes, lightning precautions, flash flood awareness and recommendations for developing written severe weather safety plans.
The Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m. All schools, businesses, workplaces and households across North Carolina are strongly encouraged to participate. Key information for participants includes:
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The drill will be broadcast on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System through a Required Monthly Test (RMT). An actual Tornado Warning will not be issued.
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Many NOAA Weather Radio receivers do not sound an audible alarm for an RMT. Some units may only display a blinking indicator.
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Participants may choose to monitor the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast manually at 9:30 a.m. or begin the drill independently at that time.
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The NWS will not issue follow-up products to signal the conclusion of the drill. Groups may end the drill when sheltering procedures have been adequately practiced.
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If severe weather occurs on the morning of March 4, the drill will be postponed to Friday, March 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
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The RMT conducted for the drill will replace the routine weekly NOAA Weather Radio Alert Test. A separate weekly test will not occur between 11 a.m. and noon on March 4.
Questions regarding North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week or the Statewide Tornado Drill may be directed to Warning Coordination Meteorologist Brandon Locklear at 910-762-0524, ext. 223, or clyde.locklear@noaa.gov.
For more information about North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week, visit weather.gov/rah/severeprep.
For more information about Cumberland County Emergency Management, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/emergencyservices, call 910-437-1880 or follow on social media @CumberlandCountyNC911.