Severe Weather Notification

The Chisago County Sheriffs Office is the Severe Weather Warning point for Chisago County. When notified of a Severe Weather Watch or Warning, the Sheriffs Office initiates the following procedures to notify the public of possible imminent weather approaching the area:

Watches Or Warnings?

Watches:

If development of severe thunderstorms is likely to occur in the next several hours a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). A Watch indicates that the atmospheric conditions have become favorable for the development of severe storms or tornadoes. All notifications for a severe weather watch are disseminated by the media via National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather radio, commercial radio, television stations and news wires.

Warnings:

When severe hail (at least 3/4-inch diameter), damaging winds (at least 50 knots or 58 miles per hour (mph)) or a tornado appears imminent, local NWS offices will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning as appropriate. A warning indicates that people in the approaching storm path should seek shelter immediately and monitor storm information as possible. These warnings are rapidly disseminated over NOAA Weather radio, commercial radio, television stations and news wires.

The Chisago County Sheriffs Office, when notified of a Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood or Tornado Warning will notify the public by sounding weather sirens and fire department / ambulance pagers.

Note: the sheriff's office will not issue an 'all clear' after the storm has passed.

Sirens:

Due to the unpredictable nature of severe weather and the sheriffs office commitment to the public's safety; it is the sheriff's office policy that if any portion of Chisago County is included in the warning, weather sirens will be sounded for the entire county.

It is the public's responsibility to monitor available media sources to determine appropriate steps to take to ensure their personal safety. Please develop and practice a severe weather plan with your family to ensure everyone's safety during the upcoming storm season.

For additional information, educational resources and fun activities, visit:

• National Weather Service Website
• Severe Weather Safety Preparedness Website: This excellent website includes information on Flash Flood, Lightning, Tornado and Winter Weather Safety; kids printable coloring books, and information on how to create a 'Family Disaster Plan' by the National Severe Storm Laboratory (NSSL), American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency.