Drills planned for Thursday, April 7
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
April 4-8, 2022, is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. According to a press release from ReadyWisconsin, Wisconsin averages 23 tornados per year, and the National Weather Service confirmed 41 tornados touched down in Wisconsin in 2021.
Most residents are accustomed to tornado and severe weather warnings in the late spring and summer months, but tornados can happen any month, and in December of last year, Wisconsin had 10 tornado touchdowns reported in a single day, the release said.
In addition to tornados, other hazardous weather conditions can accompany severe thunderstorms including torrential rains, hail, flooding, and damaging winds.
Planning for severe weather in advance can help residents stay safe when severe weather does strike.
• Create an emergency plan for home, work, and school. Talk about and practice that plan with your family. Most schools conduct drills and talk about their safety plans, but families may not always prepare in advance and communicate a plan with their family members.
• Identify designated shelter locations at home, work, and school; talk about where to go/what to do if the family is driving; and be ready to go to a safe location when a tornado warning is issued.
• Enable your cell phone to get Wireless Emergency Alerts. On many devices, this is an option in the Settings menu, typically under Notifications, possibly at the very bottom.
• In addition to cell phone alerts, be alert to outdoor warning sirens, stay tuned to local television or radio stations for alerts, and consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio. Using multiple sources helps ensure you will get alerts in time to take potentially life-saving action.
• Check the weather daily to stay abreast of the forecast and possible severe weather developments in advance.
• Create an emergency kit and place it in the designated tornado shelter area at home. Consider the needs of your family and pets in the event of a tornado disaster if emergency personnel cannot reach you immediately and electricity and water is cut off. Plan for a three-day supply of required items like food, water, and medication, including snacks and formula for children and infants. A first-aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, a can opener, utensils, flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated radio, medications and a list of required medications, and a list of emergency contact phone numbers are just a few of the basic items to include. For children, don’t forget extra diapers and wipes; formula, water, bottles, and a pacifier; snacks; a few books or toys; and a stuffed animal or blanket for comfort purposes, More information about preparing for emergencies and making an emergency kit is available at: https://readywisconsin.wi.gov.
• Consider making a similar emergency kit to place in vehicles, as well.