Beltrami County is participating in Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week (April 13–17) to educate residents on recognizing, preparing for, and responding to severe weather this summer.
The week lays out daily topics from alert systems to heat safety, with practical tips and drills designed to reduce injuries and property damage when storms strike.
Beltrami County’s Participation in Severe Weather Awareness Week
Across five days, the county highlights critical safety themes: understanding alerts, storm thresholds, flood safety, preparedness/”>tornado drills, and extreme heat preparedness.
The aim is to empower residents with information and action steps they can take now, including enrolling in alert systems and reviewing emergency plans.
In addition to daily guidance, Beltrami County will share updates on its Emergency Management Facebook page.
This ensures residents have access to the latest hazard information and drill schedules.
Monday: Alerts and the Everbridge system
The focus on Monday is to understand how severe weather alerts and warnings work and to enroll in Everbridge, Beltrami County’s emergency notification platform.
Everbridge ensures you receive timely warnings about local emergencies, road closures, and weather threats, so you can act quickly to protect your family.
Enrollment helps families activate safety plans with minimal delay.
To enroll, residents should:
- Visit the Beltrami County Emergency Management page and click the Everbridge enrollment link
- Enter contact information and choose alert types, including weather alerts for your area
- Confirm enrollment and test the notification if prompted
Being connected to Everbridge can significantly shorten reaction times during dangerous weather.
Tuesday: Severe storms, lightning and hail
Tuesday outlines the criteria that make a storm “severe” and why residents should take warnings seriously.
For a storm to be considered severe, it typically must produce hail larger than one inch or sustained winds above 58 mph.
The presence of audible thunder signals lightning risk in the area, a reminder to seek shelter promptly.
Beltrami County recalls events like the June 2025 storm that brought winds of 120–130 mph and baseball-sized hail to illustrate the potential danger.
Forecasters warn to monitor forecasts, shelter indoors, and avoid outdoor activities when thunder roars or lightning is visible.
- Hail > 1 inch triggers severe-weather precautions
- Winds > 58 mph indicate a severe thunderstorm
- Audible thunder means lightning risk nearby
Wednesday: Flooding safety
Flooding is a leading cause of weather-related injuries, and Beltrami County emphasizes not entering floodwaters.
Six inches of flowing water can knock a person down, and a foot of water can float a vehicle.
The clear message: never drive through flooded roadways.
- Do not attempt to cross flooded roads—turn around and seek higher ground
- Avoid walking through moving water; it can conceal hazards such as debris or washed-out pavement
Residents should monitor local forecasts for flood warnings.
Maintain emergency kits and contact lists, and plan with family and neighbors for rapid evacuation or shelter-in-place if roads are closed.
Thursday: Tornado drills and siren testing
Thursday centers on tornado preparedness and the county’s siren protocol.
Beltrami County will activate outdoor sirens for tornado warnings, destructive thunderstorms with winds over 70 mph, or other life-threatening weather situations.
Sirens will sound for about three minutes, and there will be no automatic “all-clear” signal as part of the drill.
Two statewide tornado drills are scheduled for April 16 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m..
During these times, outdoor sirens will be tested to ensure the public can hear and respond appropriately while staying indoors and away from windows.
- April 16, 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. – statewide tornado drills
- Outdoor siren tests during the drills
Friday: Extreme heat safety
The final day focuses on heat-related hazards and how to reduce risk during heat waves. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activity during peak heat periods.
It is important to recognize dangerous heat index conditions and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
Practical tips include staying hydrated. Taking breaks in shade or air-conditioned spaces is also recommended.
Check on vulnerable neighbors during extreme heat. Additional hazard information will be posted throughout the week on the Beltrami County Emergency Management Facebook page.
Here is the source article for this story: Minnesota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week underway April 13-17