A large evergreen tree is shown after falling on the west side of Big Grove Lutheran church on September 20, 2017 during a severe storm that involved numerous tornado touchdowns across central Minnesota.
Submitted to the Voice by Erin Hausauer, Stearns County Emergency Management Director, 320-259-3940
Tornadoes, straight-line winds, floods, lightning, hail, and heat, these are the greatest disaster risks for Stearns County residents. Stearns County ranks fourth highest in the state for the number of tornadoes from 1950 – 2015; and, in the past 10 years, 55 people died and dozens more were injured in weather-related events in Minnesota.
Although severe weather is a threat anytime from March through November, Stearns County Emergency Management, along with the State of Minnesota, kicks off the spring and summer severe weather season by recognizing Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 9 -13. During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Stearns County emergency managers urge residents to learn more about severe weather and how to protect themselves, and to practice emergency response procedures for all types of weather.
During Severe Weather Awareness Week, there is a different safety topic highlighted each day:
Monday – Weather Alerts and Warnings
Tuesday – Severe Storms, Lightning, and Hail
Wednesday – Floods and Flash Floods
Thursday, April 12 – Statewide Tornado Drill Day *Sirens will go off in small towns across the area at approximately 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on this day*
Friday – Heat Waves
Planning and preparedness information and tips can be found on the Stearns County Emergency Management Department website at StearnsCountyMN.gov. Residents can also sign up to receive monthly newsletters and emergency alerts for their community.
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