The tornado sirens sounding today at 1:30 p.m. will be part of a statewide tornado drill organized by the National Weather Service and state emergency management officials.

According to the weather service, schools and businesses in Lawrence and across the state are encouraged to participate in the drill by practicing seeking secure, safe shelter from a tornado. Douglas County Emergency Management officials said sirens across the county will be sounded as part of the drill.

The purpose of the annual drill is to test residents’ readiness for life-threatening severe weather events.

The tornado drill is part of the weather service’s Severe Weather Awareness Week effort, which is seeking to educate Kansas residents about floods, severe storms, tornadoes and other hazards this week from March 3 to March 9.

The last time a tornado hit Lawrence was on May 8, 2003.