Know your plan for severe weather season

With spring storms on the horizon, now is a great time to make sure you know what to do when severe weather strikes.  

This week, April 13-17, is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota and Wisconsin — an annual observance that encourages residents to review their emergency plans before storm season gets underway.  

Stay prepared

Being prepared in advance makes all the difference. Here are a few things you can do this week:

• Know your nearest storm shelter location. Storm shelters around the MSP campus are clearly marked so you can move to a protected area quickly if needed. If one isn't nearby, move to an interior room away from windows.
• Stay alert and informed. Make sure your devices are set up to receive weather notifications, and learn the difference between a watch and a warning.  
• Check your emergency plan and emergency kit. Create or refresh your household emergency plan and emergency kit.
• Participate in Thursday's tornado drills. Two statewide drills are scheduled for April 16 — at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Use this as an opportunity to practice your response at work and at home.

Learn more

Throughout the week, state and national emergency agencies highlight key weather‑related topics — lighting and hail, floods, tornadoes, and extreme heat.  

Additional resources are available through the National Weather Service and the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.