MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers has declared April 13-17 Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin, and ReadyWisconsin is encouraging everyone to take time this spring to talk about weather safety with their families. ReadyWisconsin, the National Weather Service and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association also encourage everyone in the state to participate in a virtual tornado drill at 1:45 p.m. on April 16.

Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. During the 2019 season, the NWS confirmed 28 tornadoes touched down in the state of Wisconsin. Of those, 18 occurred during a three-day period in late July, downing countless trees and damaging homes and other buildings across the central portion of the state.

The state has already experienced its first tornado this year, when a storm in late March produced an EF-1 tornado that touched down in Grant County. The tornado did not cause any injuries, but it did damage a home and barn. It’s a reminder that while spring and summer are the most active times for tornadoes in Wisconsin, they can happen at any time of year.

While most of Wisconsin has become familiar with the annual statewide tornado drill, the ongoing response to COVID-19 in the state means a break from tradition this year. Due to technical limitations, there will be no live test of the Emergency Alert System that triggers NOAA weather radios and messages on broadcast stations. Communities should rest assured that these systems are still regularly tested. This departure simply means there will be no coordinated statewide test this year.

While some communities may still choose to test their outdoor warning sirens on April 16, it is expected many will not be doing so. In place of those alerts, you can expect to see messages from ReadyWisconsin and its partners across social media, encouraging everyone to take the time to go over their plans and practice them during this virtual drill.

Find tips on creating a plan with your family at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov. Follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook; https://facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin, and Twitter; https://twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin, for updates throughout the week and tips on emergency preparedness throughout the year.