The Virginia Department of Emergency Management encouraged schools, businesses and families to conduct tornado drills.

Along with all other schools in the county, Montevideo Middle School participated in the statewide drill at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.

While participating in the drill, students went into the hallway where there are no windows or doors.

The hallways would be the safest area to locate if a tornado were to hit the school.

The students lined up along the lockers and put their hands above their head to protect themselves from any flying debris.

Rockingham County Safe School Supervisor Fred Babbitt says, "Just about all of our schools are doing it today. We do have a couple schools doing it tomorrow and I've verified through the state that we are participating in the drill."

School officials say they believe this is a worthwhile effort in keeping their students safe.

Sixteen tornadoes hit the state of Virgina last year, causing more than $1 million worth of damage.