(DRG News – Pierre, SD) This week (April 13-17, 2026) is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in South Dakota and Minnesota.
National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist for South Dakota Kelly Serr (sare) says the week is an opportunity to increase public awareness about summer severe weather hazards.
Serr says when looking back at 2025, it was a wild year for severe weather in parts of South Dakota.
Serr encourages people to think about their personal severe weather safety response plans.
Serr encourages people to prepare for any situation– whether that be while you’re at school, work, outdoors or on the road. In addition to personal safety, she recommends that businesses evaluate and practice their severe weather plans. If they don’t have a plan, now is the time to develop and practice those plans for the safety of all employees.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that 62% of businesses don’t have an emergency plan in place.
Daily themes:
- Monday: Weather Alerts and Warnings
- Tuesday: Severe Storms Wind, Hail & Lightning
- Wednesday: Flash Floods
- Thursday: Tornado
- Friday: Extreme Heat & Wildfire
