Severe Weather Awareness week is April 11-15
Thunderstorms, straight line winds, tornadoes and heat waves cause extensive damage in Minnesota every year. Minneapolis is among the cities at risk for all of these severe weather conditions. Thunderstorms and Tornadoes especially can develop quickly and without warning. Severe Weather Awareness week is April 11-15 and is designed to remind and educate the public on how to be on alert for severe weather events.
April 14 is Tornado Drill Day
In Minnesota, Thursday, April 14 is Tornado Drill Day. Two tornado drills will be conducted statewide on April 14 at 1:45 p.m. and again at 6:55 p.m. to allow schools, businesses, hospitals and other organizations to practice their emergency plans. The 6:55 p.m. drill (only in participating counties) also allows families and second-shift workers to practice their plans. Emergency Preparedness volunteers will be stationed at each emergency siren location in Minneapolis to document if the sirens are in working condition.
Protect yourself by being prepared and taking a few simple steps:
- Take preventive measures - Know where you can take shelter during a severe thunderstorm or a tornado. Most businesses have designated severe weather shelters. Make family members aware of the safest places to be in your residence during a severe thunderstorm or a tornado.
- Practice for a severe weather event - Drills at work and at home make employees and family members aware of what and what not to do during a severe weather event. Always stock and update safety supplies for use in an emergency.
- If a severe weather event is approaching, turn to your local TV, Radio or NOAA Weather channels for updates on alerts and warnings (which are issued when a severe weather event has been confirmed). Also listen for any sirens in your area that are activated in case of imminent danger.
- If a warning has been issued, go to designated shelter or to a central area of an office building away from glass windows, or to the basement or inner stairwell of your home or residence. Do not use elevators. Stay in your location until the all-clear signal has been issued.
More information on severe weather preparedness is available at Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the National Weather Services websites.
Published Apr. 7, 2011