UPDATE: The 6:45 p.m. tornado drill has been canceled because of the possibility of severe weather.

Do not be shocked if your phone goes off or if you hear other warnings, as Wisconsin emergency management departments recognize National Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week with a statewide drill. The state will conduct its statewide tornado drills today (Thursday, 4/11) at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. While some communities will use their outdoor sirens as a part of the drill, many will rely on the National Weather Service’s NOAA Weather Radio tests or individual communities’ emergency alert systems. Kewaunee County Emergency Management Director Tracy Nollenberg encourages residents to use the drills to practice what they and their families can do when a severe weather event occurs.

Nollenberg credits its emergency alert system for helping approximately 7,800 residents stay up-to-date last week with the status of power outages and locations of warming centers. You can sign up for Kewaunee County’s Rave Alert system by clicking this link.