Virginia residents can register now to participate in a statewide tornado safety drill scheduled for 9:45 a.m. March 12. The date will also be observed as Tornado Preparedness Day across the state of Virginia.

The Fairfax County Emergency Blog states that the tornado drill is an important safety exercise considering Virginia has been hit with tornadoes that have cost lives in the past few years.

Previously, some 1.2 million Virginia residents have registered for the tornado drill, and registration for this year's drill is now open. The tornado drill is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Ready Virginia and the National Weather Service in cooperation with local emergency management offices.

To register and to learn more about planning a tornado drill, go to www.vaemergency.gov. For additional help in planning a tornado drill contact the county's Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000, TTY 711.