Just a heads up during this severe weather awareness week in Minnesota - you'll hear sirens Thursday. It's just a test.
The sirens will be going off two times to remind people of what to do in case of severe weather or another emergency.
"Yeah, I think the the biggest, easiest thing for people to remember about this week is take time to think about what you would do in all these events," says Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency director Kevin Reed.
He says it's also a good time to get a bag ready if you need to evacuate quickly.
"Your identification, any important papers, medication, pets, cell phone charger, those things, and get them ready for the spring," Reed explains. "So if I had to leave my house in five minutes, I grab that and I'd be able to contact people, get information, and stay safe.
The two different times you will hear those sirens Thursday will be at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families.
Reed says unfortunately, when a tornado sirens goes off, people tend to go outside to look for what is happaneing. He says don't do it. Go back inside.
"We want you to go tune in to some place like WCCO and say, 'hey what's going on? Give me the information I need or what do I have to do? Do I need to go and shelter right now? It gives you that opportunity, hopefully a little bit of time, to grab everything, get to a place of shelter in your house," Reed says.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota experiences an average of 46 tornadoes per year.
In 2022, 83 tornadoes struck Minnesota, which is the most in a year since the all-time record of 113, set in 2010. Most tornadoes occur between May and August, though they have been spotted as early as March 6, in 2017, and as late as December 15, in 2021, when the state recorded 22 confirmed tornadoes.
Understanding this threat and knowing what to do when a tornado is approaching can save lives. Take advantage of Severe Weather Awareness Week to review your own and your family's emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.