MEDIA ADVISORY: West Virginia Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week Kick-Off News Conference

CONTACT:

Tony Edwards

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

NOAA/National Weather Service Charleston, West Virginia

304-356-5736

Tony.Edwards@noaa.gov

WHAT: WV Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week Kick-Off News Conference

WHERE: Beckley-Raleigh County Emergency Services, 162 Industrial Park Rd, Beaver, WV 25813

WHEN: 12:00 pm EDT Monday March 18, 2024

Fifty years ago during the early morning hours of April 4, 1974, one of the largest and deadliest tornado outbreaks concluded when multiple tornadoes struck six southern West Virginia counties. By the time the sun rose that morning, 40 West Virginians were injured and one person was dead. This event serves as a stark reminder that large tornadoes have happened in the past in West Virginia, and they will happen again!

March 18-22 is Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week across the Mountain State. Please join us for a Kick-Off News Conference at Noon on Monday March 18th at Beckley-Raleigh County Emergency Services as we remember the 1974 Super Tornado Outbreak, hear survivor stories from that event, and discuss steps being taken and safety tips for future severe weather events. Speakers will include officials from Raleigh County Emergency Management, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, FEMA Region 3, WOAY, WVNS-TV and the National Weather Service.

Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week is a collaborative effort between the National Weather Service and the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, working with representatives from the media and several other agencies with the goal of raising awareness and preparedness for severe weather events that can impact the state during the spring season. More information on the campaign can be found at https://www.weather.gov/rlx/WV-Severe-Awareness.

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