Wisconsin Declares April 13-17 as Severe Weather Awareness Week

In Wisconsin, the rapid onset of severe weather conditions such as tornadoes and thunderstorms poses a significant risk. To boost preparedness and ensure safety, Governor Evers has declared April 13-17 as Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle emphasized the urgency of readiness, saying, “Severe weather, especially tornadoes, can develop quickly and with little to no warning.” This week serves as a critical reminder for families, schools, and businesses to prepare for such events.

Wisconsin typically experiences an average of 23 tornadoes each year. In 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed 39 tornadoes across the state. Notably, 15 of these tornadoes occurred on a single day, May 15, as storms swept through southern Wisconsin.

This year, the Wisconsin Statewide Tornado Drills are scheduled for April 16 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. During these times, residents are encouraged to practice seeking shelter in their designated safe locations.

Recommended Safety Locations

• Houses: The safest areas include basements, interior rooms on the ground floor away from windows, or specially constructed safe rooms.
• Apartment Buildings: Seek shelter on the lowest floor, ensuring multiple walls separate you from the exterior. Avoid windows.
• Mobile Homes: These are not safe during tornadoes. Plan to move to a community shelter, nearby public buildings, or a sturdy structure owned by friends or family.

During the drills, the NWS will conduct NOAA Weather Radio tests, and local media may participate by broadcasting alerts. Additionally, some communities might test their outdoor warning sirens; residents should check with local emergency management offices for specific schedules.

If severe weather is anticipated on April 16, the drills will be deferred to April 17. However, they will proceed even in less severe conditions like rain or clouds. If severe weather persists on the rescheduled date, the drills will be canceled. Updates on drill status will be available at readywisconsin.wi.gov by 10 a.m. on April 16.

Safety Tips from ReadyWisconsin

• Establish and practice an emergency plan.
• Know the location of designated shelters at home, work, and school.
• Utilize multiple sources to receive weather alerts, such as outdoor sirens, NOAA Weather Radios, mobile devices, and local media.
• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on mobile devices via the settings menu. More information about WEA is available here.
• Stay updated by checking daily weather forecasts.
• Prepare an emergency kit. For guidance, visit readywisconsin.wi.gov.

About ReadyWisconsin

ReadyWisconsin, a branch of the Wisconsin Emergency Management under the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, collaborates with the national Ready campaign to educate residents on emergency preparedness. For more resources, visit readywisconsin.wi.gov and follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram.