The statewide tornado drill was a go for this Thursday afternoon.

MILWAUKEE--Despite gloomy skies and the chance for thunderstorms, the statewide tornado drill was a “go” for this Thursday afternoon.



At 1:00 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a mock tornado watch for all of Wisconsin.



At 1:45, the NWS issued a mock tornado warning.



The 1:45 mock warning included all Wisconsin counties including Milwaukee and Minnesota.



For Milwaukee County Emergency Management, the second warning also included the sounding of the 58 strategically placed sirens placed around the county.



The sirens sounded for one minute.



Most local and state radio and TV stations took part in the drill.



The mock watch and warning was also issued over NOAA weather radios.



Milwaukee County Emergency Management suggests being ready for tornado season which runs from April through August.



Part of being ready according to MCEM, includes having plenty of food, water, blankets and other necessities like batteries and flashlights in case a strong tornado torches down and affects power to your area.



Milwaukee Public Schools, like Allen-Field School on Lap ham Boulevard took part in the drill.



The drill at Allen-Field School included evacuation of classrooms to safe areas, and crouching down in hallways to cover the students in case of the real thing.

 

Tomorrow, Friday April 25, is the last day for Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week.



Wisconsin had 16 reported tornadoes in 2013 according to the statistics kept by the National Weather Service Forecast Office.



The most active months were July and August with 13 tornadoes in those two months.

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