News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jon Collins, 612-919-5918
April 19,
2017 (MINNEAPOLIS) – Tomorrow, as part of Severe
Weather Awareness Week, the outdoor emergency warning sirens will sound during
the statewide tornado drill.
The annual tornado drill is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of
Public Safety, the National Weather Service and is conducted in cooperation
with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Hennepin County Emergency Management.
The sirens
will sound twice.
Afternoon Tornado Drill ―
1:45 p.m.
- The National Weather Service
activates the outdoor warning system. Schools, businesses and other facilities
are encouraged to conduct a tornado drill at this time.
Evening Tornado Drill ― 6:45
p.m.
- The evening drill is
important because tornadoes and other types of severe weather often occur
between 3 to 8 p.m. The 6:45 p.m.
tornado drill allows families and workers on later shifts to practice their
sheltering plans.
When you hear the sirens, first responders want the public to immediately
find safe shelter inside a building and then get more information about the
severe weather. The slogan, “Get to
shelter then get information” is a simple way for the public to remember what
to do when they hear outdoor warning sirens.
Throughout the severe weather season, please take responsibility for the
safety of yourself and your family with the following precautions:
-
Do not rely on sirens as your
only source to warn you about severe weather. Sirens are intended to alert people who are outside.
Inside your home, you may not hear outdoor sirens due to noise from wind,
rain, or other sounds. Inside your home, use a NOAA weather radio, a
smartphone “app”, and stay tuned to local media to alert you to severe
weather.
-
Be “weather aware.” Keep tabs on the weather forecast for your
area. There are times when forecasters predict a likelihood of severe
weather many hours or even days in advance. In these situations, keep that
possibility in mind as you consider your plans and be sure to check on the
changing forecast.
-
Be alert & know where to
shelter. If conditions change quickly
or you see violent/threatening conditions, tune to local media and seek
shelter.
-
Consider using your smartphone to install an “app” for weather warnings
alerts.
- HCSO -
Look for more news on
the Hennepin County Sheriff's website at http://www.hennepinsheriff.org.
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