South Dakota Prepares for Severe Weather During Awareness Week
Severe Weather Preparedness Week is taking place from April 13 to April 17, 2026, in South Dakota and Minnesota. The initiative aims to enhance public awareness and readiness for various weather-related hazards. Each day of the week is dedicated to a specific theme, including weather alerts and warnings, severe storms with wind, hail, and lightning, flash floods, tornadoes, and extreme heat and wildfire. Kelly Serr, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in South Dakota, emphasizes the importance of having personal safety plans in place, whether individuals are at school, work, outdoors, or traveling. The week is an opportunity for residents to review and improve their preparedness strategies to ensure safety during severe weather events.