North Dakota Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week

ND Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week: April 28 through May 2, 2025

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Severe Thunderstorms	Lightning	Tornadoes	Flash Flooding	Extreme Heat and Fire Weather

Tornado Safety Tips

If in a building, go to the basement if one is available. Get under the stairs or a piece of sturdy furniture. If there is no basement, get to the centermost room on the lowest level, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Protect your head, neck and spine.

Stay away from windows! Avoid seeking shelter in gymnasiums or large auditoriums.

If in a mobile home, seek a storm shelter or a nearby permanent building. Have a plan! 40% of tornado deaths occur in mobile homes.

If you are outside and cannot get inside a sturdy structure, lay down in a ditch or low lying area (beware of possible flooding).

When driving, if a tornado is spotted in the distance, stay calm and drive away from it. However, in heavy traffic, never try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no building is available, lay down in a ditch or low lying area.

Tornado Drill: Wednesday April 30th

Don't Just Rely On The Tornado Siren!

Make A PLAN! And Practice it!

https://www.ready.gov/

The tornado drill is a great time to:

Review your severe weather plan of where to take shelter at home, work or at school.
Practice going to your shelter area.
Ensure you have multiple ways of receiving a warning. Don't just rely on the siren!

Outdoor warning sirens are designed to warn those outside of threatening weather or some other type of emergency. You may or may not be able to hear a siren from within your home, especially when you are sleeping. Also, sirens may become disabled by severe weather.

Sirens are activated primarily by city or county officials. Each city or county can establish its own guidelines for when to activate the siren, such as for severe thunderstorm warnings in addition to tornado warnings. Contact or visit the website of your city or county emergency management for outdoor siren policy.