REMINDER: Tornado Drills Today Throughout Minnesota

Don't be surprised when you hear weather sirens this afternoon and evening.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, Rice County is participating in statewide tornado drills at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.

The two times will allow for most people to practice two different sheltering plans—one at work or school, and the other at home.

It may confuse some as today's forecast calls for darki skies and rain. No serious weather is predicted for today.

According to Rice County:

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 one 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.

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. 

Be sure to follow Northfield Patch on Twitter, "Like" us on Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter, which sends you updates about stories, breaking news, announcements, events and blogs on our site.