News: This week's tornado drill canceled due to snow storm

Hennepin County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 04/10/2019 09:00 AM CDT

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Hennepin County Minnesota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969

UPDATE: Statewide tornado drill canceled due to snow storm

As part of a statewide drill, the county had planned to activate outdoor warning sirens on Thursday, April 11. As a result of the strong snow storm predicted, sirens will not be activated on Thursday.

Public safety personnel are discussing whether to reschedule the drill. A final decision has not been reached.

This week is Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week. In Minnesota, more than half of federally declared-disasters are due to severe weather. This week serves as a reminder to create, update and practice emergency plans.

Sirens alert people who are outdoors of severe weather warnings and other situations when they should take shelter. People who are indoors may not hear them and should use another means to monitor the weather, such as an NOAA weather radio.

Outdoor warning sirens sound for weather when the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning and/or if there are reports of sustained straight-line winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. While the county activates sirens, the cities within Hennepin County purchase and maintain the equipment.

Siren safety tips

  • Obey the sirens. Sirens mean people should seek shelter and tune to local weather information on radio, television or an NOAA Weather Radio. Unless it’s a first Wednesday of the month drill, the warning is real.
  • Be weather aware. Know the weather forecast when you start the day, and check the weather throughout the day.
  • Be alert and know where to shelter. If conditions change quickly or you see violent/threatening conditions, seek shelter and tune to local media. Take time today to learn and practice the emergency procedures at your workplace or school.
  • Get a personal warning. Sirens alert people who are outdoors. Inside your home, you may not hear them. Use an NOAA weather radio or a severe weather smartphone app and stay tuned to local media.

Real-time weather monitoring

View interactive weather forecasts, maps and more at hennepinwestmesonet.org.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.

Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.