LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan has already endured its share of severe weather this winter. With tornado season getting underway, now is the time to make sure communities are ready.

That’s why officials are planning a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 18, as part of Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness Week.

MORE NEWS: Whitmer Declares State of Emergency in Seven Counties After Severe Winter Storm

Sirens in Michigan will go off at 1 p.m. in communities statewide. Michigan State Police and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division are urging residents to participate in the drill.

“The recent devastating tornadoes in southwest Michigan serve as a somber reminder that severe weather can strike at any time, even early in the season,” said MSP and EMHS Director Col. James F. Grady II. That’s a reference to a series of deadly tornados on March 6 that claimed four lives and left a path of damage in Branch, Calhoun, and St. Joseph counties. “We encourage local communities to take part in the statewide tornado drill and encourage everyone to practice your plan now to help save lives when every second counts,” Col. Grady said.

In addition to sounding tornado warning sirens in communities that have them, many counties also plan to test cellphone alert systems.

However, tornados aren’t the only storms that have wreaked havoc on Michigan. On March 15 and 16, snow, ice, and wind pummeled much of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency for seven counties that endured the worst weather.