Severe Weather Awareness Week Being Observed

Severe Weather Awareness Week has been observed this week. The Department of Public Safety has highlighted different phenomena each day, with tornadoes as the focus yesterday, which included tornado drills yesterday afternoon and last evening.

Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze says those drills are meant to get people thinking of where they would take shelter at home, at work or wherever they are in the event of a tornado or severe weather. He says a basement is the safest place, but if that’s not an option, go to an interior room such as a bathroom where you could lie down in a bathtub and cover up with a mattress.

Sheriff Cruze says trailer parks and campgrounds have designated areas to take shelter, and if you’re driving, it’s best to get out of your vehicle and lie in a low area because if you stay in your car, a tornado will pick it up and you could be injured or killed. He says you should always avoid flooded roadways.

Sheriff Cruze says you can find more information on severe weather awareness on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website, and if you want to sign up for the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office Code Red alert system, you can sign up online, or call Stephanie at 693-5400 if you need help getting the app on your phone.