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April 5, 2022

This week, Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have sponsored Severe Weather Awareness Week. As we begin our long-awaited transition from the winter months into spring, it is important that everyone continues to recognize that the warmer temperatures are often accompanied by weather conditions that can pose serious threats, including tornados, severe thunderstorms, high winds, floods, and extreme heat. We hope that you take the time this week to reflect on the importance of being prepared at work, at home, and wherever else you may spend your time.

You will find information, tools, and resources below that you may use to discuss with both your colleagues and your families to develop a plan. The key questions that you should ask are:

• How do I know if the potential exists for severe weather occurring my area?
• How will I be alerted for severe weather conditions?
• What do I need to do to prepare for severe weather events?
• What is my plan for protecting myself, my colleagues, and my family during severe weather events?

Most importantly, many severe weather events evolve suddenly, and without ample opportunity to prepare immediately before the storm. Please take the time to develop and practice your plan for protection.

Although we have grown accustomed to these conditions occurring in Minnesota year after year, we must always be willing to take a fresh look, and ensure that we are able to remain alert, stay informed, and be prepared to seek shelter.

Before Severe Weather Strikes

• Be alert to changing weather conditions.
• Monitor the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio broadcasts for forecasts, advisories, watches, and warnings.
• Develop a plan so you and your family know where to go to protect yourself from severe weather.  Identify safe shelter areas close to where you live, work, and play.
• Create a severe weather kit with supplies you’ll need in case you need to evacuate quickly or services are shut off.  Keep important documents in a waterproof container.

Become a Trained Storm Spotter

Did you know you and your family can be trained as Storm Spotters for FREE?

In the 1970s, the National Weather Service established the Skywarn program. It educates the public on the dangers of severe weather, and creates a network of storm spotters on the ground to identify and report escalating weather conditions to the NWS. With the help of these trained spotters, the NWS can provide early notification to people in the path of severe weather, which saves time and lives.

Skywarn training to become a storm spotter is a free, three to four hour class. The training discusses the basics of storm development, teaches how to identify potential severe weather, provides information on how to report potentially severe weather, and explains basic safety principles for protecting you and your family. It also dispels common myths associated with severe weather notification.

For example, did you know phone apps do not provide real-time notification and response for severe weather? The NWS relies on storm spotters to identify and report conditions, and to issue flash flood, thunderstorm, and tornado warnings. If no one observes and reports, these systems may not be initiated. The best alert system is a trained observer on the ground.

The program is an opportunity for citizen participation in our emergency notification and response systems. It’s free and available to the public throughout the country.

If you are interested in more information or available classes in your area, visit the Skywarn website by clicking the "Learn More" button below.

Extreme heat kills about 618 people every year in the U.S.*

• Avoid strenuous activities and take frequent breaks.
• Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Watch yourself and your family for the following signs of heat-related illnesses.
  • Heat cramps: muscular pain in the arms, legs, or abdomen
  • Heat exhaustion: cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; and exhaustion.
  • For heat cramps and heat exhaustion, find a cool location to rest and drink water.
  • Heat stroke: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature. Call 911 immediately.

*According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which can strike up to 15 miles from the center of a thunderstorm.

• When a thunderstorm roars, go indoors! Immediately seek shelter in a building or enclosed car with the windows up.  There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in your area.
• If you’re outside and cannot find shelter, get to the lowest area possible and crouch down as low as possible to the ground. Avoid trees, hilltops, open fields, beaches, and flimsy structures.
• If you’re in a boat, get to the nearest shore as quickly as possible and find shelter.

Minnesota averages about 40 tornadoes per year, but in 2021 the state had 64 tornadoes.

• During a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately. Stay away from windows and doors.  Basements, storm cellars, and small interior rooms on the lowest level of a sturdy building are your best option.  At your report-to-work site, review your site management plan to know where to go.  Crouch down and cover year head.
• If you’re not able to get indoors, lie flat in a ditch or low area with your face down and your arms covering the back of your head. Do not seek shelter under a bridge or overpass.
• If you’re in a car, stop and seek shelter in a nearby building.

In 2019, six out of the nine state- and federally-declared disasters in Minnesota involved flooding.

• Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through floodwaters.  It only takes six inches of fast-moving water to knock over and carry away an adult.  Twelve inches of fast-moving water can carry away a car, and 24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most SUVs, vans, and trucks.
• If you must walk in water, only walk where the water is not moving.
• If you’re trapped in a building, move to a higher floor or higher ground. Be prepared to evacuate quickly.
• If you’re trapped in a car, stay inside. Get to the roof if the water rises inside the car.