Severe weather season here

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Published on Wednesday, 30 November -0001 00:00

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Families, schools, businesses should participate in tornado drills April 22

Severe Weather Awareness Week takes place April 19 - 23 this year, with statewide tornado drills Thursday, April 24.

At 1:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24, the National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado warning, and outdoor warning sirens will be activated. At 6:55 p.m., a second drill will take place in Stearns County for families and second-shift workers.

"Every family and business should take this opportunity to put weather emergency plans into action," says Marvin Klug, Stearns County Emergency Management Director. "Tornadoes follow no pattern, and dangerous thunderstorms are common in Minnesota. There's no substitute for practice when the real thing comes along."

According to National Weather Service data, tornadoes have occurred in every Minnesota county at some time during the past 60 years. Stearns County has experienced 40 tornadoes since 1950.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with the National Weather Service, sponsor Severe Weather Awareness Week annually to promote weather knowledge and planning. Their Web site at , contains tornado safety information along with instructions on surviving thunderstorms, hail, straight-line winds, heat waves, floods and lightning. Links to the National Weather Service and the Red Cross provide fascinating weather facts and a variety of downloadable resources for families, teachers and children.

For local resources, contact Marvin Klug at (320) 259-3940 or go to www.co.stearns.mn.us.