Oconto County will participate in a statewide tornado drill on Thursday, April 24, as part of Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The peak tornado season in Wisconsin is April to August, but tornadoes can occur any time of year. Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually.
The National Weather Service will issue a statewide mock tornado watch at 1 p.m. April 24 and a mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. 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 drill is an opportunity for schools, businesses and families to practice safe procedures for severe weather.
In 2013, 16 tornadoes touched down in Wisconsin, including six during the night and early morning hours of Aug. 6-7 when an EF2 struck near New London in Waupaca and Outagamie counties. That tornado injured two residents and caused millions of dollars in damage.
In 2012, four tornadoes were reported in Wisconsin by the NWS. The strongest tornado hit near Patch Grove in Grant County on Sept. 4. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
In 2011, 38 tornadoes in Wisconsin were confirmed by the NWS, the fourth highest number on record. On Aug. 19, a man was killed when a tornado with winds of 105 mph struck Marinette County.
The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and/or rainy. If severe storms are expected in the state on April 24, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday, April 25, with the same times. If severe storms are possible Friday, the drill will be cancelled.
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