As national Severe Weather Awareness Week begins, University of Iowa officials are urging the university community to prepare for severe weather and visit the UI Severe Weather Website.

This includes updating its information on the HawkAlert emergency notification system, a campuswide alert system.

While the website contains important information, Stephen Pradarelli, the director of University News Services, said local media outlets are the first place people should turn to for information during a severe weather incident.

“We really recommend people sign up for various weather alerts through radio and TV stations,” he said.

Johnson County and the UI will test their emergency sirens this week. These tests will be held in conjunction with a statewide tornado drill, conducted by the National Weather Service.

— by Grace Savides