Spring Tornado Drills Scheduled for Thursday, April 18

Get ready. Though the snow hasn't yet thawed (and still keeps coming), one hallmark of spring is on the way: Tornado Drill Day.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has issued an alert to all residents to prepare for a statewide drill on Thursday April 18, 2013, at 1:45 p.m. to give schools, business, hospitals and other organizations a chance to practice their emergency plans.  Most counties—but not all—will also conduct a second drill at 6:55 p.m.

Don't know what to do?

• Learn more about the tornado drill and safety and shelter guidelines here.
• Know what to do during a Tornado Warning.
• Dakota County has some additional tips, here.

On its website, Rice County has more about Severe Weather Awareness Week:

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.

An informed, involved community is more resilient to disaster, and being prepared helps reduce the risks and costs of hazardous weather events.  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.  An easy way to get prepared is by participating in Severe Weather Awareness Week. The statewide tornado drills provide an excellent opportunity for citizens to prepare their homes, families, neighborhoods, and communities!

This year’s event takes place April 15-19, with Tornado Drill Day on Thursday, April 18.
Schools, businesses, hospitals and other organizations 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 create 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.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is a time to join together as a community and share ideas to keep all Minnesotans ready. HSEM will be using the hashtag #SWAW.   Please follow us on Twitter @MnDPS_HSEM

Please remember the statewide tornado drill on Thursday, April 18, 2013 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!