Sioux Falls readying for severe weather season with tornado drill
Sirens to sound throughout city as officials urge residents to plan for twisters, severe thunderstorms
The City of Sioux Falls will hold its annual community tornado drill April 15 as part of South Dakota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, encouraging residents, schools and businesses to review emergency plans ahead of storm season.
The drill is scheduled for 10:15 a.m., when the city’s outdoor warning sirens will be activated.
“Preparation and practice are critical as we enter another severe weather season,” said Regan Smith, the city’s emergency manager. “We urge everyone, especially those responsible for our most vulnerable residents, to know their plans and understand how to carry them out.”
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City officials said the siren system is designed primarily to warn people who are outdoors and may not have access to phones, televisions or radios. The sirens are not intended to be heard indoors, where background noise, weather conditions or building structures can limit their effectiveness.
In addition to sirens, officials noted that Wireless Emergency Alerts are typically issued during tornado warnings or the most severe thunderstorm warnings, which include winds of 80 mph or greater and large hail. However, those alerts will not be sent during the drill.
“Residents shouldn’t rely solely on outdoor warning sirens to alert them to dangerous weather when they’re indoors,” Smith said. “WEAs have been a valuable tool, providing an additional layer of warning for the public, especially for those inside. As a backup, we recommend investing in a programmable National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio and keeping it in your bedroom with the tone alert enabled. These radios are also useful if you lose power or telecommunications service.”
Emergency officials are urging residents to treat the drill as an opportunity to practice how they would respond during severe weather. When sirens sound or an alert is issued, people should seek shelter immediately and remain there until the threat passes.
In homes, residents are advised to move to a basement or a small interior room on the lowest level, staying away from windows and taking cover under sturdy objects. Those in mobile homes should leave immediately and seek a more substantial shelter.
In schools, malls and other public buildings, individuals should go to designated shelter areas such as interior hallways or restrooms and avoid large open spaces like gyms.
Officials said vehicles are not safe during tornadoes and recommended seeking shelter in a nearby building if possible. If no shelter is available, people may lie flat in a low-lying area or remain in their vehicle with a seat belt fastened and their head down, though both options should be considered last resorts.
South Dakota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week runs April 13-17.
