Traverse County Emergency Management

04/17/2026

☀️ Extreme Heat Can Be Dangerous ☀️

Even in Minnesota, summer heat can quickly become a serious health risk.

🌡️ Stay safe:
• Drink plenty of water—don’t wait until you’re thirsty
• Limit time outdoors during peak heat (11 AM–4 PM)
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing

🚨 Watch for signs of heat illness:
• Dizziness or headache
• Nausea
• Rapid pulse

👶👴 Check on kids, older adults, and pets—never leave anyone in a parked car.

Take heat seriously. Stay cool, stay safe.

04/16/2026

🌪️ Tornado Drill Day in Minnesota! 🌪️

Today is the perfect time to practice your tornado safety plan.

🕐 Statewide tornado drills are at:
1:45 PM
6:45 PM

Where should you go?
✔️ Basement or storm shelter
✔️ Lowest level, interior room
✔️ Away from windows

🚫 Avoid mobile homes and vehicles—seek sturdy shelter immediately.

Traverse County residents: Take a few minutes today to practice with your family, workplace, or school!

04/15/2026

🌊 Flooding Can Happen Fast 🌊

Flooding is one of the most common severe weather threats in Minnesota—especially during spring snowmelt and heavy rain.

🚗 Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 12 inches can carry away a vehicle.

🛑 Stay safe:
• Never drive through flooded roads
• Avoid walking through moving water
• Stay away from ditches, culverts, and streams

🏠 Be prepared:
• Know your risk if you live in a low-lying area
• Have a plan if roads become impassable
• Stay informed during heavy rain events

In Traverse County, conditions can change quickly—don’t take chances.

Stay alert. Stay safe.

04/14/2026

💨⚡ Severe Weather Isn’t Just Tornadoes ⚡💨

In Minnesota, storms can bring damaging winds, hail, and lightning—all dangerous in their own way.

💨 Winds can:
• Knock down trees
• Damage roofs
• Cause power outages

🧊 Hail can:
• Damage vehicles and crops
• Break windows

⚡ Lightning safety:
👉 When thunder roars, go indoors!

🚫 Stay away from:
• Open fields
• Water
• Tall objects

✔️ Shelter inside a building or hard-topped vehicle
✔️ Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder

🛑 Storm safety tips:
• Park away from trees when possible
• Stay indoors during warnings

Don’t underestimate these storms—they can be just as dangerous as tornadoes.

04/13/2026

🚨 Severe Weather Awareness Week Kickoff! 🚨

Do you know the difference between a Watch and a Warning?

Watch = Be prepared (conditions are possible)
Warning = Take action (happening now or imminent)

In Minnesota, severe weather can develop quickly—make sure you:
✔️ Have Wireless Emergency Alerts turned on
✔️ Download a trusted weather app
✔️ Know where to get local alerts in Traverse County

‼️Traverse County Residents‼️
You can sign up for emergency alerts by visiting:
https://www.co.traverse.mn.us/
Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to register for Regroup Emergency Alerts

📞 Calls will come from: 320-289-6352
💬 Text alerts will come from: 58339

Don’t wait until severe weather is here—get signed up and stay informed!

04/13/2026

🌦️ Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today!

Minnesota sees it all—tornadoes, hail, strong winds, lightning, and flooding. In west-central Minnesota, including Traverse County, severe storms can develop quickly, especially in spring and summer.

⚠️ The biggest risk? Being caught off guard.
This week, we’ll share simple ways to stay safe and prepared.

👉 Start today:
Do you know where you would go right now if a warning was issued?

04/02/2026