| From the Wisconsin Emergency Management:
Storms can develop quickly in Wisconsin, and knowing what to do when a severe weather warning is issued can help keep you and others safe. To help encourage everyone to be prepared for tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding, Wisconsin observes April 8-12 as Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, along with holding statewide tornado drills on April 11.
“Wisconsin made history this year when two tornadoes touched down in early February, which were the first confirmed tornadoes in the state during that month since record keeping began,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “Tornadoes and severe weather can develop at any time, which is why we are asking everyone to take a few minutes during Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week to review their emergency plans and identify where the nearest safe place to take shelter is located.”
Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. In 2023, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed 21 tornadoes in the state. That includes 15 tornadoes that touched down in a single day, when storms moved across southern Wisconsin on March 31 of last year.
To stay safe during severe weather, ReadyWisconsin encourages people to do the following:
- Create an emergency plan and practice it.
- Know where designated shelters are located at home, work, and school. Be ready to go there when a tornado warning is issued.
- Have multiple ways to receive alerts about approaching severe weather. Outdoor warning sirens, NOAA Weather Radios, local media, and mobile devices are all important tools. Don’t rely on any single source for important life-saving information.
- If you have a mobile device, make sure it is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). On many devices, that option is available in the settings menu. Find out more about WEA.
- Stay weather aware by checking the daily forecast for your area.
- Create an emergency kit for your home. Find tips for making a kit.
Read more here. |
