Severe Weather Awareness Week

Just because winter is over, we should not stop talking about the weather. For more than 25 years, the state of Minnesota has conducted a Severe Weather Awareness Week in partnership with the National Weather Service and local governments. A statewide tornado drill is part of that event.

The Severe Weather Awareness Week campaign helps teach Minnesotans about weather hazards and provides resources to minimize the risks associated with severe weather. Here are the daily topics that highlight particular risks for this year:

Monday, April 16 – Severe Storms, Lightning and Winds

• Thunderstorms, hail, straight line winds cause extensive damage in Minnesota every year. The annual toll from hail alone is about $1 billion nationally.
• Lightning kills and injures more people than any other summer weather threat!
• 47 lightning fires took place in homes and business structures in 2007, resulting in damages of about $2.3 million.
• Learn more about storms, lightning and winds.

Tuesday, April 17 – Weather Alerts and Warnings

• Severe weather warnings are issued to the public by the National Weather Service.
• Topics include the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA all-hazards weather radio.
• Personal weather alerts – The National Weather Service and many internet sites and local media outlets offer alerting services that can provide email, RSS feeds or text messages to cell phones, computers or other devices.
• Learn more about weather alerts and warnings.

Wednesday, April 18 – Floods, Flash Floods

• In 1997, floods on the Red River and the Minnesota River affected 58 Minnesota counties, resulting in the largest Presidential disaster declaration in state history.
• The cost of response and recovery was estimated at $545 million dollars.
• Learn more about flooding and flash floods.

Thursday, April 19 – Tornado Drill Day

• Tornado Drill Day is Thursday April 19, 2012 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
• Minnesota conducts two tornado drills on Thursday April 19, 2012. The first drill is statewide at 1:45 p.m. to allow schools, business, hospitals and other organizations to practice their emergency plans. The 2nd drill is at 6:55 p.m. in participating counties and is held to allow families and 2nd shift workers to also practice their plans.
• Learn more about the tornado drill and safety and shelter guidelines here.
• Know what to do during a Tornado Warning.

Friday, April 20 – Heat Waves

• Heat-related fatalities outpace deaths in several other weather categories.
• Based on a national average from 1992-2001, excessive heat claimed 219 lives each year.
• By contrast, floods killed 88, tornadoes 57, lightning 52 and hurricanes 15.
• Learn more about heat waves and safety.

Severe weather has forced the evacuation of care centers or senior housing in each of the last five years.   Lake Ridge Care Center supports and encourages all members of the Buffalo community to participate in these preventative activities.