Students at Clark County Preschool hunkered down Thursday at 10:07 a.m. as part of the annual statewide tornado drill. Hands behind their heads, and crouched as small as they could get, students were learning to be prepared.

“If you’re not prepared, then bad things can happen,” Clark County Emergency Management Director Gary Epperson said.

If students are prepared for tornadoes, then it helps prepare them for other emergencies including earthquakes and fires, he said.

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, Epperson said. Although tornadoes are more common in the spring and summer months, Kentucky weather is continually changing, he said.

“It is possible with any type of severe weather that a tornado could form without any type of warning,” Epperson said.

Tornadoes can result in death, injury and mass destruction in seconds, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. About 1,200 tornadoes hit the U.S. every year, according to FEMA, and Clark County is no exception, Epperson said.

There had been devastating tornadoes in Winchester’s Winchester’s history.

It’s critical to seek adequate shelter to stay safe. Try to find a small, windowless room such as a closet or bathroom on the lowest level of the building.

A floor below ground level is best, according to FEMA. Once there, use additional personal cover such as a coat, blanket or cover your head and neck with your arms.