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2023 Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week

The week of April 17th-21st, 2023 has been designated as Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness week. After a long winter, it is time to revisit the hazards that come with the change of the season. As we transition from winter hazards to summer hazards, we need to be mindful that every years we experience some type of severe weather event. Beltrami County Emergency Management joins other state, local and tribal agencies in promoting weather preparedness for the upcoming summer months. Each day of the week has a specific hazard topic to familiarize our citizens so they can be prepared when severe weather threatens.

Monday’s topic is alerts and warnings. Know how to receive alert and warning information and what they mean. The National Weather Service issues a number of different alerts and warnings during the summer months. Watches may be issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather or tornadoes. Warnings are issued when they are occurring, likely to occur or are imminent. There are a number of mobile apps available on smart devices that can alert you, along with traditional commercial broadcast outlets or NOAA Weather Radios.

Tuesday’s topic is severe weather, lightning and hail. Summer storms can produce destructive winds, large hail and torrential rain. Straight-line wind storms can be as destructive as some tornadoes with winds in excess of 120mph. Hail causes an average of a billion dollars in damage annually and has been recorded as large as baseball to softball size in Beltrami County in recent years. Lightning kills. If you are outside during a lightning storm you should find shelter indoors, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.” Lightning can strike several miles from a thunderstorm.

Wednesday’s topic is flooding. Thunderstorms can be very effective rain makers and can result in numerous inches of rainfall in a short periods of time. Flash flooding is one of the more dangerous summer weather elements and kills nearly 200 lives each year. If you encounter a flooded roadway, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” As little as six inches of flowing water can knock over a walking adult while a foot of water can float vehicles.

Thursday is Minnesota’s tornado drill day. Two tornado drills will be conducted on Thursday. The first will be at 1:45PM and is an opportunity for businesses, schools and other institutions to practice their severe weather response plan. A second drill will be at 6:45PM and is intended for second shift workers and families at home to participate. Outdoor warning sirens in Beltrami County will be activated for the drill. If severe weather is possible on Thursday, the activation of sirens will be cancelled to avoid confusion with any possible real emergencies.

Friday’s topic is excessive heat. Heat advisories and warnings should be taken seriously, heat related ailments can be deadly. During times of excessive heat avoid rigorous activity or delay until the cooler parts of the day. Drink plenty of hydrating fluids and avoid alcohol consumption. Heat stroke can be identified through confusion, dizziness or becoming unconscious. It occurs when the body loses the ability to cool itself. Never leave children or pets in vehicles on warm days. Cars can act like a greenhouse resulting in lethal temperatures in a short period of time.

Christopher Muller, Beltrami County Emergency Management Director said, “While we have been very fortunate to not have experienced a violent tornado in recent years, Beltrami County is no stranger to severe weather and tornadoes. From 1950-2022, Beltrami County has recorded over 40 tornadoes, putting us in the top 15 counties for confirmed tornadoes in Minnesota. This doesn’t include the many destructive straight-line wind events we have experienced.” Additional information will be posted on the Beltrami County Emergency Management Facebook page next week.

-Christopher Muller

Beltrami County Emergency Management Director

 

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