Awareness Campaigns

Protect Your Family

Wisconsin is susceptible to all forms of natural and man-made disasters. A hazardous materials spill on a nearby highway could mean evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at home. A tornado could cut off water, electricity or telephone service for days. And when disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond.

Wisconsin Emergency Management can help you prepare for emergencies. Here you will learn about some of the hazards facing Wisconsin and how you can keep your family safe.

September is Wisconsin Preparedness Month

September 1, 2010

Are you Ready Wisconsin? Do you have a plan to face an emergency? Are you ready to protect yourself and your family?

According to a ReadyWisconsin survey conducted in 2009, only about 20% of Wisconsin residents have made basic preparations for large-scale emergencies, like flooding and tornado activity.

To encourage the citizens of Wisconsin to take steps to prepare for a potential crisis, Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed September as Wisconsin Preparedness Month.

ReadyWisconsin will be represented at a wide range of events including Preparedness Day at Miller Park on Labor Day on September 6th and a number of county fairs. Take a look at our calendar of events.

To keep informed on the latest preparedness news and to receive useful emergency planning tips, follow us on *Facebook* and *Twitter*

Read More at ReadyWisconsin

Winter Awareness Week

November 8-12, 2010

Governor Doyle has proclaimed November 8-12, 2010 as Winter Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin.

The annual campaign sponsored by Wisconsin Emergency Management and NOAA’s National Weather Service is to remind people to be prepared for winter conditions that could threaten their safety.

Winter storms are considered deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm such as traffic accidents on icy or snow-covered roads, prolonged exposure to the cold, or indoor carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is important to start taking preventive measures for winter weather. Now is the perfect time to winterize your car and home, gather items for a disaster kit, and make sure you have a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, or a commercial radio with fresh batteries.

If you would like the information e-mailed, please contact Lori Getter at (608) 242-3239 or at lori.getter@wisconsin.gov.

For more information on the winter weather awareness campaign, contact your county emergency management director or your local National Weather Service office, and visit the http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov/Informed/Informed.asp?maintab=1&subtab1=5" target="_blank" title="Winter Awareness"> ReadyWisconsin website for winter preparedness information.

WI Winter Storms 1975 Present PDF
2008-2009 Blizzards PDF
2008-2009 Ice Storms PDF
2008-2009 Winter Storms PDF
2008-2009 Total Events PDF
Average Winter Events Per Year PDF
2008-2009 Snow Map PDF
Severe Thundestorms Map (PDF)
Hail Map (PDF)
Flood Map (PDF)
Lightning Map (PDF)
1982-2008 WI tornados, injuries, & deaths (PDF)

Winter Awareness

Heat Awareness

June 10, 2010

Gov. Jim Doyle has proclaimed June 10, 2010 as Heat Awareness Day in Wisconsin. The campaign is to remind people of the dangers associated with extreme heat and to encourage citizens to take protective safety measures. In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin, resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses. Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornadoes and severe storms. To encourage citizens to be prepared for severe heat, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the National Weather Service offer tips to keep safe in hot weather.

Read More

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Day in Wisconsin

May 12, 2010

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

2010 Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

April 19-23, 2010

Statewide tornado drill: April 22, 2010

Wisconsin averages 21 confirmed tornado touchdowns each year. In 2008, 38 tornadoes in Wisconsin were documented by the National Weather Services (NWS). Rare twisters in January 2008 damaged or destroyed over 100 homes and buildings.

In 2005, Wisconsin had a record 62 tornadoes reported, including 27 that occured on August 18, 2005.

Knowing what to do and where to go in the event of severe weather is critical. Below are links to information to help keep you and your family safe during severe weather.

Governor Doyle has proclaimed April 19-23, 2010 as Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. On April 22, 2010, a statewide tornado drill is planned. The National Weather Service will issue mock tornado watches and warnings. If actual severe weather occurs anywhere in the state on April 22, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday, April 23 with the watch/warnings issued at the same time.

For a detailed schedule of the mock watches/warnings go to: 2010 Tornado Drill Schedule (pdf)

What you need to know about WI tornadoes (Word)
Tornado events, deaths and injuries map (PDF)
Severe Thundestorms Map (PDF)
Hail Map (PDF)
Flood Map (PDF)
Lightning Map (PDF)
2006 Tornado Path (pdf)
1982-2008 WI tornados, injuries, & deaths (PDF)
1844-2008 Total WI Tornadoes (PDF)
Number of Tornadoes by month (PDF)
Tornado Myths (PDF)
Severe Weather and Your Insurance Coverage (PDF)
Information on Tornado Awareness from WI Dep. of Health & Family Services (Link)

Wisconsin Flood Safety Awareness Week

March 15-19, 2010

Gov. Jim Doyle has proclaimed March 15-19, 2010 as Flood Safety Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Flooding has caused the most damage in Wisconsin's recorded history and Flood Safety Awareness Week reminds people that flooding can occur at any time. The campaign also reminds people of the dangers associated with flooding and to encourage citizens to take protective safety measures such as considering purchasing flood insurance.

Record flooding in southern Wisconsin in 2007 and 2008 caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to homes and businesses. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), only 15 thousand homes and businesses in Wisconsin have flood insurance. That is less than one percent of the more than 2 million households in the state. In the flooding events of 2007 and 2008, more than $34 million in flood insurance claims were paid in Wisconsin.