National Weather Service Cancels Statewide Tornado Drill, Beltrami County Pushes Forward

Beltrami County will still conduct the tornado drill on Thursday April 11 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. according to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.

The National Weather Service announced they are canceling their participation in the Minnesota Statewide Tornado Drill because of ongoing flooding issues and impactful weather forecasts throughout parts of the state.

The Sheriff’s Office said Beltrami County is not experiencing flooding and is not expected to be in the blizzard set to hit portions of Minnesota on Thursday.

According to the Sheriff’s office, outdoor warning sirens will be sounded at the two scheduled times. The Sheriff’s office said they will not be utilizing CodeRED during the drill, and that no CodeRed phone notification will be sent by the Beltrami County.

The Sheriff’s Office said NOAA Weather Radios will not activate and broadcast preemption will not take place. Schools, businesses, places of worship and citizens are encouraged to review their severe weather response plans and self-initiate practicing your plan at the scheduled drill time.

Additional information will be posted on the Beltrami County Emergency Management at www.facebook.com/beltramicountyemergencymanagement/.