This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Stearns County’s Emergency Management Department is encouraging every family and business to take the opportunity during this week to build awareness of storm dangers and make weather emergency plans, as well as participate in the statewide tornado drill.

Two statewide drills tornado drills are taking place on Thursday, one at 1:45 p.m. and another at 6:55 p.m. These allow schools, businesses, and families to practice emergency plans.

Various subjects are being covered this week: On Monday, Severe storms, lightning and winds; On Tuesday, weather alerts and warning; On Wednesday, floods and flash floods; On Thursday, tornados, and on Friday, heat weaves.

Emergency Management is displaying severe weather awareness information in both the Administration Center rotunda and Stearns County Service Center this week.

Visit the Stearns County’s website or the State Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to get personal safety tips.