SWAW Day 4 Tornado Safety

Once again, it's Severe Weather Awareness Week here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, brought to you by the National Weather Service along with the Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Each day a new topic of severe weather will once again be covered:

Monday: Thunderstorms, Hail, Wind and Lightning
Tuesday: Severe Weather Watches and Warnings, and How to Receive Severe Weather Information
Wednesday: Flash Floods
Thursday: Tornadoes (Including Two Tornado Drills)
Friday: Heat Waves

We will bring you this information every day from the National Weather Service. Today's subject is Tornadoes. To go along with today's information, the National Weather Service will run two tornado drills in the area: one at 1:45 and the other at 6:55. It is asked that you at least figure out during these times what you would do in the event of an actual tornado warning. For more information on today's timeline of events, check out yesterday's post.

We hope you find this information informative and helpful as we enter severe weather season and remember to stick with this blog for the very latest on severe weather throughout the season.

From Stearns County "According to National Weather Service data, tornadoes have occurred in every Minnesota county at some time during the past 60 years. Stearns County has experienced 40 tornadoes since 1950." Click here for more from Stearns County Emergency Services

More tornado information from the NWS

Before the Tornado...
Tornado watches highlight the area where tornadoes are most likely to develop. Continue with your normal activites, but keep informed of the latest weather information and be ready to get to shelter in case tornadoes develop quickly.

In the Home...
Go to the basement if possible. Get under a table, work bench, or some other sturdy furniture to avoid falling debris. A stairwell is also a good place to hide during a tornado.

If You Cannot Get to a Basement...
Go to a small interior room on the lowest floor. Closets, bathrooms, and interior halls afford the best protection in most cases, or try to hide under a bed. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with blankets. Stay away from windows.

In an Apartment, School or Office Building...
Move to the inner-most room on the lowest level or to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from windows. If in a hallway, crouch down and protect your head from flying debris. Avoid areas with glass and large roof expansions.

In a Mobile Home, Car, Truck or Other Vehicle...
Abandon these as quickly as possible. Seek a sturdy shelter or permanent structure. Remember that many deaths occur when people try to drive away in a vehicle, but get caught in the deadly winds. Avoid bridges since they act as wind tunnels.
Last year, Minnesota saw 24 tornadoes, fewer than the average since the early 90s. The strongest were two tornadoes rated EF-2, one that hit Austin on June 17, and another that hit Swift Falls on July 14. There were no deaths or injuries across the state.
Wisconsin had 16 tornadoes last year, and all were weak. Only five reached the EF-1 category, and the others were all EF-0. There were no deaths or injuries in Wisconsin last year due to tornadoes. St. Croix County had the most tornadoes in the state in 2009, with five.