Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin
Published on April 13, 2026
Updated: 4/16/2026: Due to the severe flooding in Wisconsin, the state-wide tornado drill has been cancelled.
Wayne and Wanda Share a Weather Safety Message
Wayne and Wanda are two weather radios with one big job: helping people stay safe.
This week, they want to remind everyone about Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. It is a good time to get ready for spring and summer storms.
Wayne is the serious one. He likes clear plans, fresh batteries, and knowing where to go in a storm.
Wanda likes to say, “It is always better to practice now than panic later.”
And they are both right!
In Wisconsin, bad weather can happen fast. Tornadoes, strong storms, large hail, high winds, and heavy rain can all be dangerous. That is why Wayne and Wanda want families, schools, and workplaces to take time to get ready.
They say now is a great time to:
- Talk about your weather safety plan
- Check your emergency kit
- Put fresh batteries in your weather radio
- Make sure you know where your safe place is
A big part of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the State Tornado Drill on April 16th, 2026. Wayne wants everyone to mark their calendar. Wanda wants everyone to actually join in. The drill will happen two times on Thursday:
These times give people at school, at work, and at home a chance to practice what to do during a tornado warning and know where your safe place is. Hint – it is not on your couch or the porch.
When the drill happens, Wayne says, “Do not just stand there like a lawn chair in the wind.”
Go to your safe place! That may be a basement or a small room on the lowest floor, away from windows. If you live in a mobile home, plan now for a safer place to go.
Wayne and Wanda also want everyone to remember this: you should have more than one way to get weather alerts. A weather radio is a great choice, but phone alerts, local media, and trusted public safety updates are important too.
Severe Weather Awareness Week is all about getting ready before a storm is here. A little practice now can make a big difference later.
Wayne says being ready is smart. Wanda says being ready is cool.
Both agree that being unprepared is a bad time.
So please join the Wisconsin State Tornado Drill on April 16 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Wayne and Wanda will be ready. Will you?