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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Time to Start Thinking About Severe Weather <br />During a month when Gem Lake residents <br />have dealt with one snowfall after another, it <br />might seems strange to start thinking about <br />"severe weather." But, its time! Minnesota <br />Severe Weather Awareness Week is April <br />15-19. <br /> <br />This annual public event is designed to <br />remind individuals , families, businesses, <br />schools and other institutions that it's <br />essential to plan ahead for Minnesota's <br />severe spring and summer weather. <br /> <br />There will be two statewide tornado drills <br />on Thursday, April 18 at 1:45 p.m. and <br />again at 6:55 p.m. <br /> <br />According to the Minnesota Department of <br />Public Safety, an informed, involved <br />community is more resilient to disaster, and <br />being prepared helps reduce risks and <br />costs of hazardous weather events. <br /> <br />Here are a few ideas for preparing your <br />family: <br /> <br />1. Create or update an emergency plan with <br />your entire family so everyone knows what <br />to do in case of an emergency. Ensure for <br />instance, that everyone has an updated <br />contact information list and knows what to <br />do if severe weather hits. <br /> <br />2. Check with places that your family <br />spends time, such as schools, workplaces <br />and churches and find out what they severe <br />weather plans are and what facilities exist <br />for shelter during bad weather. <br /> <br />3. Talk to your family about what you would <br />do if your family was not together when <br />severe weather hits. <br /> <br />4. Consider getting a NOAA weather radio <br />for your home. This special radio will alert <br />you (loudly) to severe weather in your <br />particular area. These radios are on sale at <br />many locations and are easy to program. <br />They range in price from about $30-$50. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />5. Learn how to safely shut off electricity <br />and gas to your home in the event of <br />disaster. <br /> <br />6. Keep paper maps of your area. This <br />way you can follow the track of a storm <br />and make shelter decisions, etc. when the <br />power is off. <br /> <br />For more information on severe weather <br />preparedness, here are three web-sites <br />that could be helpful: <br /> <br />Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness <br />Week <br />http://weatherawareness.dps.mn.gov <br /> <br />National Weather Service <br />http://www.weather.gov <br /> <br />FEMA <br />http://www.ready.gov <br />