For more than 25 years, the state of Minnesota has conducted Severe Weather Awareness Week in partnership with the National Weather Service and local government agencies. This year, Severe Weather Awareness Week will take place April 15–19, with a statewide tornado drill Thursday, April 18 at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m.

The Severe Weather Awareness Week campaign is intended to help teach Minnesotans about weather hazards and provide resources to minimize the risks associated with severe weather, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety recommends the following ways to participate:

Prepare Your Family 

• Practice your family plan during the evening tornado drill on April 18 at 6:55 p.m.
• Create or update emergency plans with your entire family so everyone knows what to do in case of a severe weather emergency.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency plans at the places your family spends time, such as schools, workplaces, churches, markets or sports facilities – then share them with the entire family.

Prepare Your Neighborhood

• Talk to your neighbors about their preparedness plans, make sure your plans are compatible and find out who may need help in an emergency.
• Ask your homeowners association to make emergency preparedness an agenda item during your next meeting, or host a neighborhood preparedness meeting so neighbors can plan together.

Prepare Your Workplace

• Practice your workplace emergency plans during the statewide tornado drill April 18 at 1:45 p.m.
• Update and distribute important emergency contact information to employees.
• Designate staff members as critical function or emergency personnel with specific tasks in the event of an emergency.
• Organize an emergency preparedness procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans.
• Host a disaster preparedness brown bag lunch for employees.
• Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio and put it on display in your break room or other high-traffic locations, then encourage employees to purchase weather radios for their homes as well.
• Put an updated copy of the facility emergency plan on everyone’s desk or in an email for review.
• Conduct business continuity training to determine how the organization will continue operations during or after a disaster.
• Conduct office evacuation/shelter-in-place exercises and drills, and evaluate to decide if new procedures or trainings are needed.

For more weather-related tips and information from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, visit weatherawareness.dps.mn.gov.