Tornado sirens will be tested on Thursday, April 16, during the state-wide tornado drill. The National Weather Service will issue a mock tornado watch at 1:00 p.m .; at 1:45 p.m., a mock tornado warning will be issued. Locally, tornado sirens will be activated at 1:45 p.m., for the City of Monroe, Juda, Browntown, Albany, South Wayne, New Glarus and Monticello. The City of Brodhead will not be testing their siren at this time. The mock tornado drill watch/warning will end at 2:00 p.m. If there is inclement weather that day, the drill will be on Friday, April 17.

Remember a thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch means conditions indicate that a storm or a tornado may be possible and you need to watch for changing weather conditions and monitor weather reports. A thunderstorm warning means that a thunderstorm is imminent and tornado warning means a tornado has been seen or is indicated on radar and you must take immediate shelter. Studies have shown that when a tornado warning is issued, people will check three or four different sources of information before they take shelter. People have lost their lives doing this, so take shelter immediately.

Know where to go and what to do when there is severe weather. If you are at home or in a building, stay away from windows and move to the basement. Get under a sturdy table or the stairs. If a basement is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Cover yourself with towels or blankets; if possible get under a sturdy table, stair steps or a counter. Put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. If you are outside, quickly seek shelter in a sturdy building.

Last year there were four confirmed tornadoes in Green County, causing over a million dollars in damages. Last week was the 50th anniversary of the Palm Sunday tornado that hit Monroe. How prepared would you be if this would happen to you today?

This year Green County Emergency Management is promoting “Personal Preparedness.” Sit down with the whole family and create your emergency plan. Your disaster supply kit should have enough water and non-perishable food to last 72 hours, a first-aid kit, NOAA weather radio, a flashlight, and special items for children, pets, and elderly family members. Check out our website for planning guides and other resources.

We also have designed a handy “Green Envelope” to help folks who live by themselves or need daily assistance to develop their personal emergency plan. Inside the envelope is a communication plan which folks can put contact information in, medical provider names and numbers, suppliers of medical devices if they are used, and other useful information that is needed during emergencies. There is no charge for the envelope and if you would like one, please call Green County Emergency Management at (608) 328-9416.

Be sure to like our Facebook page and our website http://www.greencountyem.com regularly for tips on emergency planning and other important information. The first of every month, tips are posted on supplying your disaster supply kit. During the week of April 13-17 we will be giving away two weather radios! Check our Facebook page and website for more information.