Tornado Drill Day
The National Weather Services offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin will simulate a dissemination of a Tornado Watch and a Warning today, in large part to test the communication systems. This annual exercise has been done for at least two decades to raise awareness of public safety with regard to seeking shelter at places of work, school or play.
Here's a schedule of the tests today.
There will be cases where you just have to make the best of the situation you are in when a tornado is approaching. I am particularly concerned about the safe shelter that is afforded residents of mobile home parks, retail stores, restaurants, and places or indoor and outdoor recreation.
A second drill is conducted at 6:55 p.m. to test the communication and your response at home or if you work the second shift. I initiated this second test in the 1990s when I workded for NOAA, mainly to simulate the warning process when storms are most likely to occur. Last May, the tornado raced through Hugo between 5 and 6 p.m.. In September of 2006, the Rogers tornado was reported around 10 p.m..
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Minimize your surprise of severe weather and have a working NOAA Weather radio in your home, school and place of business.
More on the 24-hour service on forecasts and warnings
Search the web for a model that is best for you or visit a local electronics store for purchse. I suggest a radio that broadcasts AM/FM and the SAME weather alert. You can listen to 91.1FM and have direct warnings from the NWS.
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