Here's Why You'll Hear Sirens In Lakewood On April 1

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood will test its tornado preparedness on April 1.

Severe weather awareness week runs March 21 to March 27. However, the Lakewood Schools are on spring break during that time, making a tornado drill unfeasible.

Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy decided to move the city's tornado drill to April 1 to include the school district, the chief said in a letter to Lakewood City Council.

On April 1, Lakewood City Schools will conduct a district-wide tornado drill at 9:50 a.m. Members of the fire department will be present in as many schools as possible during the drills, Dunphy said.

Lakewood will also sound its outdoor early warning siren during this time.

"This will be Lakewood's opportunity to ensure the preparedness of our school system, and to test our Emergency Alert System and other components of emergency management. In addition, raising community awareness and allowing for planning of threats, such as tornadoes, can result in the saving of lives and the prevention of injury," Dunphy said in his letter.