The Severe Weather Awareness Week Topic for Thursday is Tornados and Tornado Drill Day with Crookston Firefighter Garrett Bengston. Tornados are nature’s most intense violent storms. Minnesota averages about 40 tornadoes per year, although, in 2021, the state had 64 tornados, including 22 tornados on December 15th alone. Tornados strike quickly and with little warning and occur at any time of day or night, though they often occur in the late afternoon or evening.
Crookston Firefighter Garrett Bengston then went into the different terms for tornado alerts and warnings. “A Tornado Watch means that weather conditions are favorable for tornados, so remain alert for approaching storms.” Bengston explained, “A Tornado Warning is that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by the weather radar. So, take shelter immediately. Be aware of the changing weather conditions and know your surroundings and locations, and have a plan for severe weather and an NOAA Weather Radio operating.” He also recommended that people listen to their radios, TVs and to check the weather on the internet frequently for up-to-date information on the weather. The Fire Department and National Weather Service recommend that if you’re home, go to the lowest level of your home and to an interior part of the house, such as a bathroom, hallway, or room that has no windows or doors. If you are in a mobile home, you should leave the home immediately and proceed to a designated public shelter such as the City Hall basement. If you are driving when a tornado warning is issued, find shelter in a strong building nearby, but if you’re unable to reach any buildings or anything of that nature for you to take shelter in. Find a low-lying area and lie flat in it, covering your head to protect it from flying debris.
The Minnesota National Weather Service will be conducting Tornado Drills on Thursday, April 7th, at 1:45 p.m. by sending simulated warnings to NOAA Weather Radios. All counties across Minnesota will sound an outdoor siren for the public to practice their tornado shelter plans. “Schools, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to conduct a Tornado Drill at this time to practice their own Tornado Sheltering plans,” Bengston explained. As tornados occur most often between 3:00 and 8:00 p.m., there will be another tornado drill at 6:45 p.m. to allow second-shift workers and families at home to practice their sheltering plans. All participation in these drills is voluntary. Bengston would also like to remind people that there is no “All Clear” siren or signal, so he reminds everyone to stay alert and to stay safe.
SCHEDULE FOR TORNADO DRILLS:
1:00 p.m.: All National Weather Service offices that serve Minnesota will issue a simulated tornado watch. NOAA Weather Radios will activate with the real TOR code.
1:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado warning for Minnesota counties. Note that most cities and counties will activate outdoor warning siren systems. NOAA Weather Radios will activate with the real TOR code.
2:00 p.m.: The National Weather Service will issue an “End of Test” message using the Severe Weather Statement product. There will be no alarm on NOAA Weather Radios.
6:00 p.m.: All National Weather Service offices that serve Minnesota will issue a simulated tornado watch. NOAA Weather Radios will activate with the real TOR code.
6:45 p.m.: National Weather Service offices will issue another simulated tornado warning. NOAA Weather Radios will activate with the real TOR code.
7:00 p.m.: The National Weather Service will issue an “End of Test” message using the Severe Weather Statement product. There will be no alarm on NOAA Weather Radios.
