Manitowoc Fire Rescue is getting residents ready before any severe weather strikes.
Governor Tony Evers previously signed a proclamation designating this week (April 13th-17th) as Severe Weather Awareness Week to encourage everyone to be prepared for tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flooding.
As part of the week, there will be a statewide tornado drill on Thursday (April 16th) at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Manitowoc Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Wagner says Manitowoc will participate in the drill.
Wisconsin averages around 23 tornadoes annually, with 39 confirmed by the National Weather Service last year.
If there is a real threat of severe weather on Thursday, the statewide fire drill will be moved to Friday (April 17th).
Manitowoc Fire Rescue explains that if you live in a house, the safest areas could be a basement, ground floor, interior room of a building that’s not near windows, or a safe room designed to withstand high winds.
For those in apartments, the safest location is the lowest level of the building, with as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
Mobile homes are not considered safe at all during a tornado.
Residents should fully evacuate and find safe shelter.
More information can be found at readywisconsin.wi.gov.
