Minnesota's division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has scheduled two tornado drills today as part of Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The drills are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. The National Weather Service will issue simulated tornado warnings, and sirens will sound for one minute. Weather radios programmed to broadcast warnings by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will sound the simulated warnings.
Homeland Security conducts the drills because Minnesota sees an average of 40 tornadoes per year. In 2012, 37 tornadoes touched down, and 2010 set a record with 104 tornadoes across the state.
When a tornado warning is issued, people should immediately head for shelter, ideally to a basement or lowest floor of a building and under something sturdy. People should stay away from windows.
People in mobile homes should get out and go to a shelter. The National Weather Service and NOAA advise never staying in a mobile home during a tornado — it is safer to be out in the open than remain in a mobile home, according to the agencies.
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For more information on what to do in various situations, including when in a car, when a tornado warning is issued, visit the Homeland Security's Tornado Safety web page .
