(KNSI) – Monday marks the start of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota, a time to “refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather,” says the state Department of Public Safety.
Each day of the annual awareness week has a theme:
- Monday: Alerts and warnings
- Tuesday: Severe weather, lightning and hail
- Wednesday: Floods
- Thursday: Tornadoes
- Friday: Extreme heat
Thursday is likely to catch many Minnesotans’ attention, as there will be two statewide tornado siren drills that day, says deputy director of Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Kevin Reed.
“We, traditionally, have looked at tornadoes being mostly in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, things like that,” Reed said. “But as climate has changed a little bit, we are now in the more northern end of that, and tornadoes are coming earlier and earlier. They’re one of our biggest challenges for damage, for responders, for keeping people safe.”
Though the sirens will sound on Thursday, Reed says they’re meant to notify people who are outside and cannot always be heard indoors. He recommends planning ahead for how you will be notified of severe weather when at work or home.
“It’s better to figure it out now than when it’s happening,” Reed said. “How do we get notified inside? Whether that’s by phone, by alerts from the county, by alerts from the weather service? How do I get that information, and then what do I do to become safe?”
Reed says these questions are important to consider, especially since COVID-19 has changed many people’s daily routines; at times when kids would usually be in a school building or adults at their workplace, they might now be at home. Alerts from utilities, like Xcel Energy, about power outages can also help during severe weather.
The week also serves as a reminder to build or replenish an emergency preparedness kit. A kit, which can be stored in your car or home, should be kept in an easy-to-access location, Reed says.
“The things you need to think about are: What are the disruptions?” Reed said. “If a severe storm comes through, is it ‘I don’t have water? I don’t have refrigeration? I don’t have some sort of first aid kit?'”
Bottled water, shelf-stable food and medical supplies can all be included in that emergency preparedness kit to address those potential problems. Reed also suggests a whistle, an electric flashlight, a blanket and a tarp.
“Build your kit so that it’s easy to grab, where you’re not trying to dig through a junk drawer that most of us have in a kitchen, trying to find the batteries for a flashlight or trying to find a cell phone charger,” Reed said.
Additionally, Xcel Energy says strong storms can knock down power lines. The company says never to touch or try to move a downed power line.
“If you come across a downed power line, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999,” the company says.
More tips for Severe Weather Awareness Week can be found on the HSEM website.
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