Storm spotter classes, statewide tornado drill slated

Staff | March 27, 2017

The National Weather Service and Wisconsin Emergency Management team are sponsoring three storm spotter classes in Walworth County during April:

• Monday, April 10, 1 p.m., at the Delavan Fire Department, 811 Ann Street, Delavan.

• Thursday, April 13, 6:30 p.m., at Lake Geneva City Hall, 626 Geneva Street, Lake Geneva.

• Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m., at the Sharon Fire Department, 182 Park Ave, Sharon.

No pre-registration is required.

The goal of these classes is to inform the public on what to watch for and how to stay safe in the event of a tornado or major storm, according to a release from the Walworth County Sheriff's Office. Attending a storm spotter class will help in understand the significance of storm warnings and provide information on how to stay safe during a storm.

In addition to the storm spotter classes the state will conduct a mock tornado drill on Thursday April 20, 2017.

Two statewide tornado drills are planned for that day. A mock tornado watch will be issued statewide by the National Weather Service at 1 p.m. A mock tornado warning will follow at 1:45 p.m. with the drill ending at 2 p.m.

The mock alerts will be issued on NOAA Weather Radios, and local TV and radio stations.

Many communities will sound their tornado sirens at 1:45p.m. An evening drill is scheduled on the same day with a mock tornado warning to take place at 6:45 p.m.

The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and or rainy. If actual severe storms are expected in the state on April 20, the tornado drills will be postponed until Friday, April 21 at the same times. If severe storms are possible Friday, the drills will be cancelled. Any changes will be issued to local media as well as posted on the Ready Wisconsin website at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.

More information can be found on the above website or on the Walworth County Emergency Management Website listed here: http://www.co.walworth.wi.us/Sheriffs%20Office/Emergency%20Management/default.aspx.