Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week

Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 21-25, 2014.

Are you ready for severe weather? The week of April 21-25 is a great time to make and practice your emergency plan and build an emergency kit.

Two of the most important events during Severe Weather Awareness Week are the annual statewide tornado drills. These drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. Outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families.

If you are interested in some ideas on how you, your family, business, or your community can participate in Severe Weather Awareness Week, check out some of the ideas on this list.

Educators, leaders or communicators may want to use this Severe Weather Awareness Week PowerPoint Presentation to help deliver this information.

Why Severe Weather Awareness Week?

According to the National Weather Service, Minnesota experiences an average of 40 tornadoes per year. In 2012, 37 twisters touched down. A record was set in 2010 with 104 tornadoes across the state.

Understanding this threat and knowing what to do when a tornado is approaching can save lives.

Take advantage of Severe Weather Awareness Week to review your own and your family’s emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.

Each day of the week will focus on a different topic:

• Monday — Alerts and Warnings
• Tuesday — Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
• Wednesday — Floods
• Thursday — Tornadoes (with statewide tornado drills)
• Friday — Extreme Heat

Check each page link above for specific information about these topics, including factsheets, checklists, data and other resources.

Dont forget!  The state wide tornado drills are Thursday, April 24 at 1:45 P.M. and 6:55 P.M.  Please treat this as only a test and make yourself aware of Severe Weather locations and procedures on campus.

Local county sirens and all NOAA Weather Radios in Minnesota will sound with a simulated tornado warning for both afternoon and evening drills. This is a great opportunity to review emergency plans and procedures, and conduct emergency drills at work and even at home.