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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
933 AM CDT Thu Apr 11 2024

...2024 Minnesota and Wisconsin Tornado Drills Today at 1:45 PM
and 6:45 PM…

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota and
Wisconsin, both states will conduct their statewide test tornado
drills today at 1:45 PM and 6:45 PM. The National Weather Service
encourages schools, businesses, hospitals, law enforcement, other
agencies, and those at home to use one or both of these drills as
an opportunity to test their severe weather communications and
sheltering plans.

The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio using the
Required Weekly Test (RWT). Some communities may sound their
outdoor warning sirens, and some TV and radio stations may briefly
cut into programming. There will not be any wireless emergency
alerts or push notifications on phones.

Part of your severe weather preparedness plan should include
having at least two ways to receive a warning. Relying on outdoor
warning sirens alone is not sufficient, as they may not always
activate or be heard. Other potential sources for warning
information include NOAA Weather Radio, local TV and radio,
wireless emergency alerts and weather apps on your mobile phone,
the internet, and word of mouth from family and friends. Sign up
to receive warning notifications through your local city or
county.

Again, today’s tornado drills are only a test and should serve as a
prompt to think about where you would seek shelter in that moment
if there were an actual tornado warning for your location. For
more information on severe weather safety, visit
weather.gov/tornado.

$$