Anniversary is a reminder to “Listen, Act and Live!”
May 22, 2011… two tornadoes strike on the same day. One hits LaCrosse Wisconsin packing winds of up to 120 mph on the city’s south side. Fortunately no lives were lost. But the stormed caused millions of dollars in damage. The other tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri. It was one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history killing 161 people and injuring over 1,000. The massive EF-5 with winds over 200 mph hit the city of more than 50,000.

Both tornadoes struck major population centers. One of the major myths of tornadoes is that they don’t strike cities and that somehow metropolitan areas are “protected” by all the buildings.

Another lesson learned that day is how people react to tornado warnings. In Joplin:

• A majority of residents did not immediately seek shelter when tornado warnings were issued.
• People needed between two and nine warnings to take action and seek shelter. For example, if they heard the sirens going off they would look in the sky, then go to a TV to get information and then call a friend, etc.
• The time it took between those warnings and seeking shelter cost lives.

What can you do? ReadyWisconsin (part of the team at Wisconsin Emergency Management) urges everyone to Listen, Act and Live!

• Listen: When severe weather is possible (Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch issued) pick a credible source of information and keep in touch with that source until the danger has past. One of the best tools is a NOAA Weather Radio (also know as an Emergency Weather Radio).
• Act: When you hear a tornado warning (tornado seen by spotters or detected on radar) seek the best shelter you can find immediately. Don’t waste time checking multiple sources of information. You may have only seconds to find a safe place.
• Live: Your chances of survival multiply by listening and acting quickly. Hopefully the storm will pass with no damage. But don’t risk your life on a hope.

For more information visit our website: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov. You’ll find great information on how to protect you and your family from tornadoes and other severe weather threats and videos of the Joplin tornado.

May 9, 2012 is NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Awareness Day. The campaign encourages Wisconsin residents to own a NOAA All Hazards Alert Weather Radio, a 24-hour source of weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and non-weather emergency information provided by the National Weather Service and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“NOAA emergency weather radios save lives”, says Tod Pritchard, Wisconsin Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “The early warning of possible danger gives you and your family time to act and stay safe.” Pritchard adds this reminder, “Listen, Act and Live! Listen to the weather radio warnings and take action right away. You’ll have a much better chance of surviving disaster.”

Wisconsin Emergency Management is offering several training opportunities this spring including Legal Issues & Disasters, Preparedness and Response to Agriculture Emergencies, and several Incident Command System courses.

Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula attended the commissioning ceremony of the new statewide communications system.

The State of Wisconsin launched its new Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communication (WISCOM), a statewide system that will allow emergency responders to seamlessly communicate across jurisdictions. The event was held at the Fond du Lac Police Department, hosted by the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance. EFJohnson developed the new system's backbone in partnership with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Did you know Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes each year. Now is the time to be prepared for storm season.

Once again, Wisconsin Emergency Management, ReadyWisconsin, and the National Weather Service have teamed up to help you and your family get ready for severe weather.

Program teaches 5th graders how to get ready for emergencies

More than 5500 students in 250 classrooms around Wisconsin are learning how to prepare for disasters and react to emergencies thanks to a special program called STEP (Student Tools for Emergency Planning).

STEP is a turn-key classroom curriculum for teachers to prepare 5th grade students for various emergencies including tornadoes, flooding and storms. It also shows students how to put together an emergency kit and develop an emergency plan with their families. Teachers signed up for the program this past fall and are required to teach the STEP curriculum before the end of the 2011-12 school year.