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SMSC Recognizes Severe Weather Awareness Week

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The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Mdewakanton Public Safety, in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service, will be promoting general weather safety and emergency preparedness to Community Members and Minnesotans during Severe Weather Awareness Week on April 17 – 21.

This annual public education event is designed to remind individuals, families, businesses, schools, and institutions that it’s essential to plan ahead for Minnesota’s severe spring and summer weather. An informed, involved community is more resilient to disaster. Being prepared helps reduce the risks and costs of hazardous weather events.

An easy way to get prepared is to participate in the statewide tornado drills on Thursday, April 20 at 1:45pm and 6:45pm. They will provide an excellent opportunity for citizens to prepare their homes, families, neighborhoods and communities!

Each day of the week highlights an important weather safety topic.

Prepare Your Family

  • Create or update emergency plans with your entire family so everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Ensure everyone has up-to-date contact info and knows what to do.
  • Practice your family plan during the tornado drills. Have everyone build a family emergency kit together.
  • Check with places your family spends time, such as schools, workplaces, churches, markets, or sports facilities to learn what their emergency plans are.
  • Share the plans for these areas with your entire family and talk about what you would do if your family was not together during a disaster.
    Prepare Your Neighborhood
  • Help prepare your neighborhood by asking, “What’s your plan?” Make sure your plans are compatible. Find out who has special needs and might need help in an emergency.
  • Plan with your neighborhood. Ask your homeowners association, your tenants group or neighborhood association to make emergency preparedness an agenda item during your next meeting. Make sure there is an evacuation plan for your neighborhood.
  • Host a neighborhood preparedness meeting. Invite your local emergency manager to help lead
    the discussions.

Prepare Your Community

  • Include preparedness activities at community events. Consider local events already scheduled in your community, such as state or county fairs, festivals, parades, or sporting events.
  • Encourage local governments and civic groups to help. Ask local scouts, Lions, chambers of commerce, etc., to distribute emergency preparedness information, recruit volunteers, and
    discuss preparedness plans within your community.
  • Host a local preparedness fair. Reach out to prominent organizations in your community, such as faith-based and community organizations, businesses, and schools to help coordinate a preparedness fair.
  • Find out how to create or participate in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).