Spring has arrived, bringing with it the threat of severe weather.

To alert Iowans to the inclement weather typical of this time of year, the State Emergency Management Agency declared last week Severe Weather Awareness Week.

As part of the yearly testing which began Wednesday, Ames will sound the emergency sirens at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month during spring and summer. The sirens are are intended to remind Ames residents to review their safety plans in the event of a tornado.

Ames Police Chief Dennis Ballantine said residents should be prepared for severe weather, especially when outdoors or in vehicles.

“If you’re outside or in your car when severe weather hits, immediately get to shelter or a low spot or gully,” he said. “Don’t ever try to outrun a storm.”

Emery Sobottka, director of Environmental Health and Safety, said the safest place to be indoors is on the lowest floor of a building, preferably a basement.

Sobottka said students living in the upper floors of residence halls should take shelter in the hallway.

“Students who can’t scurry their way to the lowest level should get into the middle section of the hall and avoid all windows,” he said.

Outdoors enthusiasts also should be prepared, said Ledges State Park Ranger Mark Plymale.

He warned campers to monitor radio and television stations if they are suspicious of the weather.

“We try to alert everyone by announcing warnings on a P.A. system, but it’s hard to warn every single person,” Plymale said.

He said campers should refrain from pitching tents in heavily wooded areas during severe weather. Campers should seek shelter in shower buildings, ditches or ravines if unable to make it to a building.