Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 16-20

Severe Weather Awareness Week takes place April 16–20 this year, with the statewide tornado drills on Thursday, April 19.

Historically, early springtime is 'flood season" in our state — but in 1998 it was only late March when violent storms brought 13 tornadoes to St. Peter and Comfrey and also 1 to Lonsdale and rural Rice County areas east of Lonsdale. Late September is typically considered a 'dry time" – yet on September 22, 2010, just two years ago, more than 10 inches of rain inundated southeastern Minnesota and flooded many communities, including communities in Rice County.

If that wasn't enough, between March and September of 2010, Minnesota experienced a record 113 tornadoes, (the most in the U.S.) with a total of 48 on a single day in June. 

The lesson from these events is that Minnesota weather hazards can happen anytime and anywhere, and the key to maintaining your personal safety and well-being is to be aware of the threats, be prepared, and know how to receive and respond to warnings.

To help citizens achieve these goals, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with the National Weather Service sponsor Severe Weather Awareness Week annually.

This year's event takes place April 16-20, with Tornado Drill Day on Thursday, April 19.
Schools and businesses are encouraged to practice emergency plans during the statewide tornado drill at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday. A second drill at 6:55 p.m. will take place in most counties, including Rice County, to allow families and second-shift workers to practice sheltering plans.

Everyone is encouraged to make a plan, build an emergency kit and practice drills. 'Every individual, family and business should take this opportunity to prepare and practice their weather emergency plans," says Jennifer Hauer-Schmitz, Rice County Emergency Management Director. 'Dangerous weather such as severe thunderstorms or tornados do not follow any kind of a pattern, and they are common in Minnesota. That is why it is so important to be prepared for when the weather strikes - there's no substitute for practice when the real thing comes along."

Find more lifesaving information at www.severeweather.state.mn.us. The site contains information on weather watches and warnings, thunderstorms, hail, lightning, flash floods, tornadoes and heat waves, along with instructions on how to make a survival kit, develop a plan to shelter or escape, and avoid surprises by staying informed of weather conditions.

The above listed website also contains valuable resource links, such as, the American Red Cross, the Minnesota Safety Council, the National Weather Service, and others that provide learning materials — many of them downloadable for use in homes, businesses and classrooms. They also offer links for the information in several different non-English languages. 

Make sure you get all the news on Severe Weather Week, Winter Hazards and other weather safety events! Subscribe to their free Weather Awareness Notification Service to receive electronic updates. If you have not signed up to receive email notifications, go to the website and sign up today!

Please remember the statewide tornado drill on Thursday, April 19, too, and plan to participate at 1:45 p.m., 6:55 p.m. or both! 

Don't let severe weather catch you unprepared! Get ready during Severe Weather Awareness Week!