Washington Co., WI – Storms can develop quickly in Wisconsin, and knowing what to do when a severe weather warning is issued can help keep you and others safe. To help encourage everyone to be prepared for tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding, Wisconsin’s annual statewide tornado drills will take place April 10, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., offering an opportunity to practice your tornado sheltering plans
The Hartford and Slinger communities will test the outdoor warning sirens during the 1:45 p.m. drill on Thursday, April 10.
People at local schools, businesses, and homes are encouraged to practice going to their nearest tornado shelter during the drills, as if there were an actual tornado warning in effect.
Ideal tornado shelters can include a basement, a ground-floor interior room of a building, or a specially constructed safe room designed to withstand high winds and falling debris.
During the drill times, Wisconsin’s National Weather Service offices will conduct NOAA Weather Radio tests that can be heard if you are actively listening to those devices or have one programmed to activate on test alerts. Local media outlets may also participate on the air or over social media.
If there is a threat of severe weather in Wisconsin on April 10, the statewide drills will be postponed until Friday, April 11. The drills will go on in all other conditions, including non-severe weather (clouds, rain, dark sky, scattered thunderstorms, etc.).
If severe weather is also expected on Friday, the drills will be cancelled.
To stay safe during severe weather, people are encouraged to do the following:
- Create an emergency plan and practice it.
- Know where designated shelters are located at home, work, and school. Be ready to go there when a tornado warning is issued.
- Have multiple ways to receive alerts about approaching severe weather. Outdoor warning sirens, NOAA Weather Radios, local media, and mobile devices are all important tools. Don’t rely on any single source for important life-saving information.
- If you have a mobile device, make sure it is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). On many devices, that option is available in the settings menu.
- Stay weather aware by checking the daily forecast for your area.
- Create an emergency kit for your home.
“Tornadoes and severe weather can develop at any time, which is why we are asking everyone to take a few minutes during Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week to review their emergency plans and identify where the nearest safe place to take shelter is located.”
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Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. In 2023, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed 21 tornadoes in the state. That includes 15 tornadoes that touched down in a single day, when storms moved across southern Wisconsin on March 31, 2023.
On a history note: Remember the tornado in West Bend, Wi, on April 4, 1981?