Statewide tornado siren to sound Wednesday in North Dakota

Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff
Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff

(Cass County, ND) -- If you here a tornado siren in Cass County Wednesday, don't worry it's just a drill.

This week is North Dakota Severe Weather Awareness Week, so a statewide tornado siren will be sounded at 11:15 a.m.

Residents are being encouraged to conduct a tornado drill in response to practice what to do if a twister did come through.

Local officials are giving some tips with what to do when you hear the sirens when a test is not scheduled. That includes:

  • Seek shelter indoors and turn on local media (local broadcast channels, radio); hearing a siren does not mean you should evacuate. Follow directions from local officials including information provided by the National Weather Service.
  • Do not assume there is no emergency because skies are clear; there may be a non-weather related emergency.
  • Only call 9-1-1 in case of an actual emergency

It is also important to note that outdoor sirens may not be heard indoors, so downloading Cass Clay Alerts on your smartphone may be a good idea as well.