ST. PAUL —The recent deadly tornadoes in the Midwest are a reminder that every Minnesotan needs to plan for the worst weather day imaginable.
Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 13-17, is a good time to plan ahead in case there is a need to take shelter during a tornado or quickly leave in advance of a flash flood.
“If severe weather impacts your community, the National Weather Service and local officials will help you determine whether to stay or go, but it’s up to individuals to be ready for either situation,” says Joe Kelly, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DPS/HSEM).
If the power goes out, or a person is trapped in their damaged home, they will need — at the very least— water and food, a flashlight, and a whistle to alert authorities. If they need to leave immediately, experts recommend they have money, identification, a cell phone and charger, bottled water and snacks.
In Minnesota, the National Weather Service says:
- On average, there are 40 tornadoes each year.
- Floods have contributed to the deaths of at least 15 people since 1993.
- Over the last 10 years, 35 deaths were directly attributable to extreme heat.
To reduce the risk of injury or death, families and individuals can use Severe Weather Awareness Week as an opportunity to make an emergency plan. Based on where they live, they need to determine:
- The safest location in their home, dorm, apartment, or living facility during a tornado.
- Where they would meet if they are separated during a flash flood or tornado that made it impossible to return home.
- Where they would go if authorities recommended they evacuate.
- If they are single, identify in advance the appropriate contact in case of injury.
- How changes in the family — aging parents, babies, new pets — will impact their preparedness.
DPS/HSEM partners with local emergency management to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each day focuses on one, important topic.
#Three4me
Everyone should have a three-day supply of water and food in their homes in case they are trapped or without power. DPS/HSEM is inviting Minnesotans to show off some items in their emergency supply kit.
Residents are encouraged to use the hashtag #Three4me and post photos that show how they are prepared and how they have gathered supplies for pets, kids or aging parents.
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About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Homeland Security and Emergency Management helps Minnesotans prevent, prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters.
· HSEM staff members are assisting Minnesota communities recover from three state declared disasters and nine federally declared disasters from 2010 through 2014.
· More than 1,800 first responders have received oil transportation awareness training from HSEM staff.
· The Minnesota School Safety Center has provided training to 70 independent school districts and public safety agencies since its reactivation in mid-2013.
· In FY2014, HSEM awarded 196 Homeland Security grants totaling $63 million to local governments and other entities to prepare them for all hazards including terrorism.
