GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With the arrival of warmer temperatures comes the start of severe weather season.
It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin, and Mother Nature played her part, whipping up strong nighttime thunderstorms that brought heavy rain, gusty winds and nickel-sized hail to communities across Northeast Wisconsin.
Brown County leaders are shining a spotlight on the importance of emergency preparedness and shared critical safety tips to keep in mind when severe weather strikes.
Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach officially proclaimed April 13-17 as Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week in the county.
“We know that as part of our mission as a county and our emergency operations, a lot of it is about education. It’s about bringing awareness. It’s about reminding people to be prepared, and really, what this is about is, what can we do as a community to make sure that we’re prepared in the event that we have severe weather?” said Streckenbach.
Brown County Emergency Management Director Daniel Kane added, “The purpose of this week is to encourage the public to become more informed and more resilient to these types of severe weather threats.”
A more prepared and informed public will lead to a quicker and more effective action from the public during severe weather threats, and a more efficient response and recovery effect overall. That preparedness is the message. Preparedness is everybody’s responsibility.
Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes per year. In 2025, there were 39 confirmed tornadoes in the Badger State.
Statewide tornado drills are set for Thursday at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. National Weather Service offices will conduct NOAA weather radio tests at these times, and some communities may also sound outdoor warning sirens.
