The Free Press
MANKATO — Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in collaboration with the National Weather Service, this week is observing Severe Weather Week in Minnesota.
Severe Weather Week includes statewide tornado drills. Outdoor warning sirens and NOAA weather radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
Blue Earth County Emergency Management recommends residents to participate in the tornado drills and to review emergency procedures.
The goal of the observance is to remind and educate residents about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars and 24 inches of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
Each day of Severe Weather Week will focus on a specific weather safety topic:
• Monday: Alerts and warnings
• Tuesday: Hail, Wind, and Lightning
• Wednesday: Flooding. People who encounter flood conditions may underestimate the force and power of water.
• Thursday: Tornadoes (with statewide tornado drills)
• Friday: Extreme Heat.
Severe Weather Week is a good time to make and practice an emergency plan and build or refresh an emergency preparedness kit.
For more information on the week, visit: dps.mn.gov and search Severe Weather Awareness Week.