South Dakota Severe Weather Preparedness Week is April 19-23


South Dakota Severe Weather Preparedness Week is April 19-23. The week is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them.

A formal tornado drill will be part of the week and will occur on Wednesday, April 21. During this drill the National Weather Service (NWS) offices in South Dakota will send a test tornado watch at 10 a.m. CDT and a test tornado warning at 10:15 a.m. CDT. NOAA Weather Radio will tone alert. Local tornado drills/siren testing is the prerogative of local officials. Please contact your county emergency manager if you have any questions about siren activation within your communities.

Weather officials will also use social media to encourage the public to consider their severe weather safety plans and what they would do in the event of real severe weather. If possible, please help promote weather safety during this week.

The following are the daily topics as well as pre-made graphics that are free to use the week of April 19-23 (and all season long):

• Monday: Weather Alerts and Warnings.

• Tuesday: Severe Storms Wind, Hail & Lightning.

• Wednesday: Tornado Safety Information.

• Thursday: Flash Floods.

• Friday: Extreme Heat .

Another severe weather preparedness initiative that will occur during the month of April is the #safeplaceselfie campaign. This is a one day national effort on April 7 to encourage people across the United States to identify their safe place to shelter and to share a photo.

Knowing the safest place to shelter is one of the most essential preparedness actions everyone can take. More information is available at: www.weather.gov/wrn/safeplaceselfie.

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