By: Mike Keyport, Cook County Emergency Management Director

It’s spring in Cook County, or at least trying to be. The snow comes and goes; the rivers are beginning to flow; and there are signs of pussy willows, flowers, and trees blossoming (it’s true!). And, of course, our much-anticipated warmer weather is coming.

Warmer weather brings the potential for severe weather, and we in Cook County need to be prepared. To that end, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, promotes Severe Weather Awareness Week during the week of April 13 – 17, 2026.

April is a great time to begin preparing for severe weather, not only for residents, but also for our businesses, schools, and the community. By taking these steps now, we will be prepared and can take appropriate action when necessary.

Severe Weather Awareness Week highlights these important weather safety topics.

Alerts and Warnings

The following is a summary of the types of alerts we encounter:

• Weather Warning: Dangerous weather or an event is occurring or imminent and likely to pose a significant threat to life or property. Take protective action immediately.
• Weather Watch: Weather conditions are favorable for hazardous weather. Stay alert, make alternate plans, and be aware of shelter or evacuation routes.
• Weather Advisory: A less hazardous weather condition is possible but not yet happening. Weather may still pose significant safety risks or travel problems. Stay alert. Cook County utilizes the Code Red alerting system; if you are not signed up, please visit cookcountymn.gov/government/departments/sheriff/codered.php to do so.

Severe Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Hail

A typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter, lasts for 30 minutes, can produce large hail, and has winds of at least 58 mph. During such an event, a bolt of lightning can be over five miles in length and can strike up to 15 miles away from the center of the storm. No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are present: according to the National Weather Service, your chances of being struck by lightning are 1 in 12,000. 

Floods and Flash Floods

Floods are one of the most common natural hazards in Minnesota. Flash floods develop quickly, leaving little time for preparation. Please do not ever walk or drive through moving water; six inches of moving water can carry away an adult, and 12 inches of moving water can carry away a car. State and federal authorities recommend having an evacuation plan and a Go Kit for such emergencies. You can check out  FEMAReady.gov for more information.

Tornados

Minnesota averages 40 tornadoes per year, but in 2010, the state had the most tornadoes of any state in the U.S., with 113. Tornadoes can strike at any time of the day, but often occur in the late afternoon or evening. In October of 2021, Cook County experienced an EF2 tornado in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Earlier this month, the National Weather Service conducted simulated tornado warnings. One afternoon, schools, businesses, and organizations were allowed to practice their tornado plans.  A second simulated warning in the evening allowed second-shift workers and their families at home to practice their sheltering plans. Remember: severe weather and tornadoes occur most often between 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Extreme Heat

Heat-related fatalities happen every year throughout the U.S., and Minnesota is no exception. Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms caused by exposure to high heat combined with fluid loss. The cramps usually occur in the legs or abdomen. Heat exhaustion typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor. Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; and exhaustion. Heat stroke (also known as sunstroke) is a life-threatening condition in which the body’s temperature-regulating system fails, and the body is unable to cool itself. Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin (which may be dry or moist), changes in consciousness, vomiting, and high body temperature. If this occurs, you need to call 911 immediately.

Additional information on Severe Weather Awareness Week is available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management web page, Main Weather Safety Page: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/default.aspx

The National Weather Service also has many great resources at https://www.weather.gov/safety.

Planning is key to being prepared for any severe weather event, so please take time to plan emergency responses with your family. If we do that, watch the sky, and listen to advanced warnings, we can each do our part in keeping Cook County safe.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.