Full Notification

Wisconsin’s Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week
April 13-17, 2015
Listen, Act and Live!

(MADISON) – Listen, Act and Live! Those words could protect you and your family during severe storm
season. Listening to warnings and seeking shelter immediately will save lives. That’s why Wisconsin
Emergency Management (WEM), ReadyWisconsin, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) have teamed up for Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe
Weather Awareness Week from April 13-17, 2015.

Did you know that…
• Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually.
• In 2014, 22 tornadoes were reported in Wisconsin by the National Weather Service. Eighteen of
those tornadoes occurred in June. The strongest tornado in 2014 occurred on June 17 when an
EF 3 tornado hit Verona in Dane County. At least 30 homes were damaged as well as the
Country View Elementary School. The tornado traveled about a mile, had wind speeds of 136 to
165 mph and was on the ground for several minutes. An EF 2 touched down that same night in
Platteville in Grant County. Several homes and businesses were damaged including the
University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
• In 2013, 16 tornadoes touched down in Wisconsin including six tornadoes during the overnight
hours of August 6-7. An EF 2 struck near New London in Waupaca and Outagamie counties
injuring two people and caused millions of dollars in damage.

On Thursday, April 16, 2015, a statewide tornado drill is planned. At 1:00pm, the National Weather
Service will issue a statewide mock tornado watch and at 1:45pm a statewide mock tornado warning.
Many radio and TV stations will participate in the drill. In addition, NOAA weather radios (also known as
emergency weather radios) will issue alert messaging. This is an ideal opportunity for schools,
businesses and families to practice safe procedures for severe weather.

Important: The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and/or rainy. If actual severe
storms are expected in the state on Thursday April 16, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday,
April 17 with the same times. If severe storms are possible Friday the drill will be cancelled. Any changes
will be issued to local media as well as posted on the ReadyWisconsin website, Facebook and Twitter
pages.