This week marks Severe Weather Awareness Week, and with the year-round potential for severe weather in Minnesota, emergency personnel urge people to be prepared.

“Severe Weather Week is a good review for people to learn the difference between watches and warnings,” said Mower County Emergency Management Coordinator Amy Lammey. “It’s also good to look at family plans, such as where to go in a tornado, how to communicate if you’re separated when a tornado strikes, and where to go if lightning strikes and you’re outside.”

With warmer weather creating a higher risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, Lammey made the following suggestions:

In the event of a tornado:

• Seek shelter in the basement or the lowest floor of the building.

• Make sure kids are aware of where to go.

• Make sure there are comfort measures in the lowest level as there is a possibility you may be there for awhile.

• Once the siren goes off, do not assume it means all clear. Listen to the radio/watch T.V. or check the internet/social media to see if officials have given the all clear.

In the event of a thunderstorm:

• “If thunder roars, go indoors” – there is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm, so seek shelter in a building or a vehicle.

• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap or lightning strike before going outdoors.

Lammey said having a plan and following these tips will make dealing with severe weather easier.

“It’s important to be ready for severe weather, whether it’s winter driving with a winter kit in your car or having a fully charged cell phone in the event of a thunderstorm because the power could go off,” she said. “It should be second nature to make sure you’re ready for anything.”

Lammey also said that Mower County now has the CodeRed Alerting System available to residents.

CodeRed distributes emergency notifications, weather alerts and other important community notices.

To learn more about CodeRed, visit the Mower County website at www.co.mower.mn.us/. To sign up, visit https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF52FA7DA622 .

Residents may also download the CodeRed mobile alert app at www.onsolve.com/solutions/products/codered/mobile-alert-app/codered-mobile-apps-download/.