Severe Weather Can Strike At Anytime—Be Prepared
POSTED 4/5/11
Did you know? A tornado struck Hopkins on June 2, 1925 and caused lots of damage. The Hopkins Historical Society has an online collection of photographs of the destruction.
Historically, early springtime is “flood season” in our state — but in 1998 it was only late March when violent storms brought 13 tornadoes to St. Peter and Comfrey.
Late September is typically considered a “dry time” – yet on September 22 last year, more than 10 inches of rain inundated southeastern Minnesota and flooded many communities.
If that wasn’t enough, between March and September of 2010, Minnesota experienced a record 113 tornadoes (the most in the U.S.), with a total of 48 on a single day in June.
The lesson from these events is that Minnesota weather hazards can happen anytime and anywhere, and the key to maintaining your personal safety and well-being is to be aware of the threats, be prepared, and know how to receive and respond to warnings.
To help citizens achieve these goals, HSEM (Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management) and the National Weather Service sponsor Severe Weather Awareness Week annually.
This year’s event takes place April 11-15, with Tornado Drill Day on Thursday, April 14.
Schools and businesses are encouraged to practice emergency plans during the statewide tornado drill at 1:45 pm on Thursday. A second drill at 6:55 pm will take place in most counties to allow families and second-shift workers to practice sheltering plans.
Find more lifesaving information at www.severeweather.state.mn.us. Links to the American Red Cross, the Minnesota Safety Council, the National Weather Service and others provide learning materials — many of them downloadable for use in homes, businesses and classrooms.
The site also contains information on weather watches and warnings, thunderstorms, hail, lightning, flash floods, tornadoes and heat waves, along with instructions on how to make a survival kit, develop a plan to shelter or escape, and avoid surprises by staying informed of weather conditions.
If you have not signed up to receive email notifications, go to the website and sign up today!
Contact the Department of Public Safety with questions at dps.weatherawareness@state.mn.us.
Contacts
- Fire Chief
952-548-6451
