Severe Weather Awareness Week: What To Know

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Dakota County Sheriff's Office reminded residents that this week, April 4-8, is Severe Weather Awareness Week. The week is sponsored by National Weather Service to help residents be prepared as Minnesota heads into severe weather season, officials said.

Two tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday-one will go off at 1:45 p.m. and the other at 6:45 p.m., officials said. While the sirens are going off, the Sheriff's Office said it is a good time for businesses, schools and other facilities to practice emergency sheltering plans.

In Dakota County, sirens will be activated whenever National Weather Service has issued a tornado severe thunderstorm warning with wind speeds of at least 70 miles per hour, county officials said.

"During severe weather season, always be aware of the weather conditions around you," the Sheriff's Office said. "Be ready to seek shelter when the weather turns nasty. Have an emergency kit at home and ensure all family members know where the kit is located."

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