SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) The week of April 21‒25 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in South Dakota. Officials from the National Weather Service, Sioux Falls Emergency Management, Minnehaha County Emergency Management, Sioux Empire Red Cross, 211 Helpline Center, and the Sioux Empire Organizations Active in Disaster (SEOAD) kicked off the week by reviewing upcoming seasonal severe weather threats, safety guidance, preparedness activities, and warning systems in place to better prepare residents for when severe weather affects the Sioux Falls community.
This year’s activities include National Weather Service Severe Weather Awareness Training, a community family disaster kit building project, a statewide tornado drill, and a City/County emergency operations center exercise.
Sioux Falls Emergency Manager Regan Smith says, “The emergency management community uses this week to let the community know that we are entering severe weather season and to encourage families, businesses, and schools to take steps to protect themselves.”
Officials recommend families develop a disaster preparedness kit in their home in the event they are impacted by severe weather. That kit should allow families to sustain themselves for 72 hours and include food, water, a flashlight, first-aid kit, essential medicines, infant and pet supplies, and important documents and records.
“Now is the time for families and the community to get prepared through education, developing a plan, and building a disaster preparedness kit,” according to Sioux Empire American Red Cross Community Executive Director Tony Burke.
Schedule of Events for Severe Weather Awareness Week April 21 5:30 p.m. SEOAD Family Disaster Kit Building Activity, Washington Pavilion 7 p.m. Severe Weather Awareness Training, Washington Pavilion
April 23 10 a.m. Statewide Drill—Tornado Watch Issued 10:15 a.m. Statewide Drill—Tornado Warning Issued 10:30 a.m. End of Drill
April 24 9 a.m. City/County Emergency Operations Center Exercise
For more information: Sioux Falls National Weather Service www.crh.noaa.gov/fsd
Sioux Falls Emergency Management www.siouxfalls.org/fire/emergency-management
Sioux Empire Red Cross www.redcross.org/SD/sioux-falls?3e3ea140
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