Duluth Fire Department Promotes Severe Weather Awareness for Spring

DULUTH, Minn. — This week, the Duluth Fire Department is educating the public for severe weather awareness week.

Twice a year Homeland Security and Emergency Management collaborates with the National Weather Service to sponsor severe weather awareness weeks in Minnesota.

With spring starting out on an unseasonal note, the DFD is informing the public on what to do during severe weather events.

They say having an at-home safety plan is essential during unexpected power outages or bad weather.

And in rare severe weather events, like last June when tornadoes hit the Northland, having a weather radio, flashlights, portable charger, jumper packs, and prepared nonperishable foods; can help people stay put and remain calm in events of a rescue from first responders.

“So northern Minnesota is a little different than southern Minnesota,” said Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj. “They have different flooding events and different types of hazards. We don’t really see a lot of tornadoes in our area, but we see straight line winds and things like that. So that that’s made makes for an easy partnership with St Louis County and some of our other areas in the region to put out notifications and use our ever bridge warning system. We work a lot with the county here, with St Louis County, they help. They actually are the ones who set off our tornado sirens.”

The Duluth Fire Department, the City of Duluth, and the St. Louis County will have more information about severe weather awareness week on their social media and websites.

Coming up in November, there will be another week dedicated to winter advisories.