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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Severe Weather Awareness Week being observed in South Carolina March 3-9.

It is a chance for South Carolinians to learn about and prepare for the hazards associated with severe weather in the Carolinas.

A statewide tornado drill will be held on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. In the event of inclimate weather, the drill will be held on Thursday.

This also coincides with National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. 

It is a good time for you and your family to refresh your plans in the event severe weather comes to your neighborhood.

Some steps to take are developing a family communications plan, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers in a safe place, and knowing where to meet in the event of an emergency.

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning.

In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries.

Some ways to get important severe weather alerts are NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, social media, and download the WACH Fox Mobile App for push notifications.

Your SkyWACH forecast can always be found here.