The Faribault Fire Department is joining Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in sharing resources during Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 17-21.
The state conducts Severe Weather Awareness Week in partnership with the National Weather Service and local governments to teach Minnesotans about weather hazards and provides resources to minimize the risks associated with severe weather.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota experiences an average of 29 tornadoes per year. In 2021, Minnesota recorded 64 tornadoes, including 22 on December 15 alone, which were the latest reported tornadoes on record. A record was set in 2010 with 113 tornadoes touching down across the state.
Understanding this threat and knowing what to do when a tornado is approaching can save lives.
Each day of the week focuses on a different weather safety topic:
- Monday: Alerts and Warningsweather-radio.jpg
- Tuesday: Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
- Wednesday: Floods
- Thursday: Tornadoes (with statewide tornado drills)
- Friday: Extreme Heat
As noted, there will be two statewide tornado drills on Thursday, April 20.
- First Drill at 1:45 p.m.: This drill allows schools, businesses, hospitals and other organizations to practice their emergency plans.
- Second Drill at 6:45 p.m.: This drill allows families and second-shift workers to practice their emergency plans.
Most local and statewide radio, TV and cable stations participate in the drill.
• TV viewers & radio station listeners should see/hear a simulated tornado warning message.
• The tornado drill warning should last about one minute.
• When the test is completed, stations should return to normal programming.
• Alerts for both the simulated tornado watches and warnings will be issued over the NOAA Weather radios in the area which will activate the radio alerts.
• Everyone can participate in one or both of the drills.
• Ensure that employees, students, residents, and families are familiar with their emergency plan and shelter areas.
SIRENS: Remember—outdoor sirens are designed to warn anyone who is outdoors. It is not guaranteed that you will hear the siren while indoors.
RADIO: Consider getting an NOAA Weather Radio.
EVERBRIDGE: Sign up for Everbridge to receive notifications about watches & warnings.
For more info about Severe Weather Awareness Week or Emergency Preparedness, visit the Homeland Security and Emergency Management (a division of MN Department of Public Safety) website at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem