Severe Weather Awareness Week

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week and Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze would like to encourage all Meeker County residents to participate in one of the tornado drills on Thursday. Each day this week is devoted to a specific topic.

Monday is Alerts and Warnings, Tuesday is Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail, Wednesday is Floods, Thursday is Tornadoes and Friday is Extreme Heat. The annual statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 10th, at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. During these drills, the county outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning. 

Both drills are intended to give the public the opportunity to practice their tornado sheltering procedures.  The first drill is an opportunity for schools, businesses and those working during the day to practice while the evening drill allows second shift workers and families at home to do the same. 

This week is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It is also a great time to make and practice your emergency plan and build or refresh your emergency preparedness kit. In the event of severe weather, the safest place is the basement. If your building has no basement, seek shelter on the lowest level and as close to the center of the building as possible, preferably with no windows.

For more information on Severe Weather Awareness Week, visit dps.mn.gov. The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office uses the CodeRED notification system to send emergency messages directly to residents in the event of severe weather and other emergencies affecting county residents. Notifications can be sent to home phones, cell phones, texts and email addresses.  Register for this free service online at www.co.meeker.mn.us or call 320-693-5420 for more information.