How Sioux Falls Is Promoting Severe Weather Safety This April

Join the Annual Tornado Drill and Be Prepared

Residents across Sioux Falls are encouraged to take part in the city’s annual community tornado drill tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15, at 10:15 a.m. The drill is part of South Dakota’s Weather Awareness Week and serves as an important reminder to review and practice severe weather safety plans.

During the drill, the City of Sioux Falls will activate its outdoor warning sirens at 10:15 a.m. Schools, businesses, and households are all urged to participate and use the opportunity to rehearse what they would do in the event of a real tornado.

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Why Preparedness is Key

“Preparation and practice are critical as we enter another severe weather season,” said Emergency Manager Regan Smith. “We urge everyone, especially those responsible for our most vulnerable residents, to know their plans and understand how to carry them out.”

While sirens are a key part of the warning system, they are designed mainly to alert people who are outdoors. Officials stress that sirens may not always be heard inside due to background noise, weather conditions, or everyday household sounds.

Stay Informed: The Role of Wireless Emergency Alerts

In real emergencies, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are also sent to cellphones for tornado warnings and the most severe thunderstorm warnings - those capable of producing winds of 80 mph or greater and hail measuring at least 2.75 inches in diameter. However, no WEA will be issued during Wednesday’s drill. It’s also important to note that WEAs are not sent for weather watches.

“Residents shouldn’t rely solely on outdoor warning sirens when they’re indoors,” Smith said. “Wireless Emergency Alerts provide an added layer of protection, especially inside homes and buildings.”

As an additional safeguard, officials recommend having a programmable NOAA weather radio with tone alerts enabled, particularly in bedrooms. These radios can be especially useful during power outages or when other communication methods are unavailable.

For more information on weather watches and warnings, residents can visit the National Weather Service website.