Statewide Tornado Drill Planned for Minnesota Thursday

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Severe Weather Awareness Week continues in Minnesota Thursday with a pair of statewide tornado drills. 

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The annual week occurs every April and has daily themes with the goal of preparing Minnesotans for severe weather events the state experiences during the warm weather months. Monday focused on the definitions of watches and warnings, Tuesday’s theme centered around lightning and severe thunderstorms and Wednesday was about flood safety. 

Thursday’s theme centers around tornadoes. As part of an effort to help Minnesotans prepare for tornadoes, state officials will conduct tornado drills in Olmsted County and throughout the state at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Outdoor warning sirens will sound across the state during the drills. 

Officials are encouraging Minnesotans to use the Tornado Warning Drills to practice their tornado safety procedures at work or school during the first drill then at home during the second drill. NOAA Weather Radios will sound during the simulated warnings. 

Severe Weather Awareness Week wraps up Friday with a focus on safety during extreme heat.