Tornado Drill Hits Minneapolis Thursday

Don't be alarmed when tornado sirens sound Thursday afternoon and evening, says a spokesperson for the Hennepin County Sheriff. 

But be inspired to be prepared. 

The sirens will sound at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m., the sheriff's office said in an an email announcement. The announcement included the following suggestions for tornado preparedness

• Sirens are intended to alert people who are outside. Inside your home, you should have a NOAA weather radio or stay tuned to local media—to alert you to severe weather.
• Be “weather aware.” Keep tabs on the weather forecast for your area. There are times when forecasters predict a likelihood of severe weather many hours or even days in advance. In these situations, keep that possibility in mind as you consider your plans and be sure to check on the changing forecast. If conditions change quickly or you see violent/threatening conditions, tune to local media and seek shelter.
• Consider using your mobile device to establish alerts for weather warnings.
• You may subscribe to an email notification system from the Department of Public Safety. For more information, go to http://www.severeweather.state.mn.us/WeatherWarnings.asp#pwa