It's the day you're being asked to prepare for a tornado or practice if you already have a plan in place.
Today is Tornado Preparedness Day and at 9:45 this morning, the National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning that will trigger a tone alert and broadcast message on NOAA Weather Radios. Participating television and radio broadcasters will pick it up, simulating what you would hear during an actual tornado warning.
Schools and businesses will practice drills. Local emergency management directors say if you are not part of an official practice, you should use the time to make a plan. "Talk about the safest place to go," said Roanoke Emergency Management Coordinator, Mike Guzo. "If you're in a high rise go to an interior room. If you're in a single story or a structure that you're can get to the basement or lowest level area, just talk about that. Map it out with your co-workers or your families."
You may forget it can happen here but during the past two years, 62 tornadoes hit Virginia, killing 10 people and injuring more than 100.
It's been several months since filming on the movie "Wish You Well" wrapped up in Giles County. Now the film's producers say they're inching closer to a release date.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:23:40 GMT
A Carroll County sheriff's deputy found a woman's body in Grayson County, sheriff Richard Vaughan is confirming. Vaughan, the sheriff of Grayson County, said he thought the body had been there for about
Neighbor found Desia Rae George's cell phone, which kicked off a search of the area where the phone was recovered
Friday, May 24 2013 11:39 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:39:52 GMT
The Buena Vista Police Department is investigating a woman who was found dead in a home on Thursday.According to Lt. Chittum, a man has been taken into custody, and the case is still under investigation.No
Police say Michael J. O'Hare killed mother-in-law, and hurt his wife during a fight
Friday, May 24 2013 6:33 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:33:46 GMT
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for the Roanoke and New River Valleys. Wind gusts to 45 mph are possible. The stronger gusts will be at the higher elevations with slightly lower gusts
Windy conditions are expected today for the New River and Roanoke Valleys.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:52:14 GMT
All Internal Revenue Service operations are closed today due to the budget situation facing the agency. The closures also include staffing at all IRS toll-free hotlines, the nearly 400 taxpayer assistance
Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:05:38 GMT
WSLS is working together with Southwest Virginia relief organizations to collect supplies for victims of the EF-5 tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma.
List of local relief groups collecting tornado help for Oklahoma
Friday, May 24 2013 1:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:57:19 GMT
Vendors at the Farmers Market in Downtown Roanoke are hoping for a strong summer after some difficult years. The two year construction project revamping Center in the Square proved costly for these vendors
Two years of construction on Center in the Square proved difficult for farmers market vendors.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:57:10 GMT
With Center in the Square now open to the public, Roanoke's economic development team wants to use it as a centerpiece to attract new businesses. Economic Development Director Wayne Bowers said he sells
Economic Development Director Wayne Bowers is marketing to Roanoke to new businesses by selling the downtown area.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:56:55 GMT
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Virginia Tech's governing board has appointed a search committee to find a replacement for retiring president Charles Steger. Steger announced earlier this month he would retire
The 22-member committee It includes members of the board, faculty and students.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:56:06 GMT
A Roanoke County Schools spokesman tells WSLS that both William Byrd Middle School and William Byrd High School have been placed on lockdown after the advice of Roanoke County Police that a suspicious
The lockdown for William Byrd High School and Middle School has been lifted.
