BALTIMORE, MD—Marylanders are invited to join the Great Maryland Twister Test on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The statewide tornado drill is part of the 2025 Maryland Severe Storms Awareness Week, April 7-11, 2025, and aims to prepare residents for what to do in the event of a tornado warning. The drill is being coordinated by the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM), the National Weather Service (NWS), and other partners.
The drill will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, with the NWS issuing a statement over NOAA Weather Radios. The statement will be preceded by an Emergency Alert System (EAS) test code, but participants should be aware that some weather radios may not receive the signal. This test will not trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts on cell phones.
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) emphasizes the importance of knowing the safest place to shelter during a tornado warning. MDEM Secretary Russ Strickland warns that tornadoes can strike unexpectedly. “Whether you are in school, at work, or at home, knowing the safest place to go during a tornado warning is vital and makes all the difference.”
While participation in the drill at 10 a.m. on Wednesday is encouraged, individuals can practice at other times. Families, for example, could practice when everyone is home later.
During a tornado warning, Marylanders are advised to seek shelter immediately in a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Staying away from windows, doors, and outside walls is crucial. Those caught outside should avoid seeking shelter under overpasses and bridges. Instead, they should lie flat in a low-lying ditch or depression away from trees and vehicles, covering their heads and necks.
The NWS Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office will coordinate the drill in conjunction with NWS Mount Holly and NWS Wakefield, covering all Maryland jurisdictions.
Maryland residents are encouraged to download the MdReady WebApp for instant access to emergency notifications and preparedness information. The app is available for download at MdReady.maryland.gov, where users can easily add the MdReady shortcut to a mobile device home screen or sign up for text alerts in English, Spanish, or in one of 185 languages.
Tornadoes pose a significant threat in Maryland, with an average of 425 tornadoes recorded since 1950. The state has experienced nine tornado-related deaths and over 300 injuries since that time. A detailed history of tornadoes in Maryland is available online here.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
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