Dane County residents urged to prepare for potential severe weather

April 17, 2026
Andrew Beckett
Emergency Management

DANE COUNTY, Wis. – With additional severe weather forecasted for southern Wisconsin on Friday, Dane County Emergency Management is urging everyone to stay weather aware and have a plan for where to go if tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings are issued.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting an enhanced risk of severe weather on Friday, with tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, strong winds and hail all possible through the early evening. Dane County’s outdoor warning sirens will activate if the NWS issues a Tornado Warning or a Severe Thunderstorm Warning with the “destructive” tag. A destructive severe thunderstorm is one capable of producing 80+ mph winds and/or hail at least 2.75-inches in diameter. Only sirens included in a warning area issued by the NWS will activate.

If you hear an outdoor warning siren, that’s a signal to head indoors to safety and seek additional information. It’s important to remember that sirens are designed to notify people who are outdoors and you may not be able to hear them inside, especially during an intense storm.

You should have multiple ways to receive alerts inside your home. Options include a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup, ensuring Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your cell phone, and signing up for Dane County’s Emergency Notification System at https://em.countyofdane.com/emergency-alerts.

When a severe weather warning is issued, seek shelter inside a sturdy building. A basement may provide the best protection A ground floor interior room with no windows and no shared walls with the outside will work if a basement is not an option. Be sure to bring a way to receive updates with you, such as a weather radio or your cell phone and charger.

Mobile homes and trailers are not safe during severe weather. Identify if a shelter is available nearby that you can reach quickly. Otherwise, make plans to stay with friends or family who have access to a safe shelter location.

If you are outside when a warning is issued, head indoors as quickly as you can. There is no completely safe location to take shelter outdoors. If it’s not possible to get indoors, lie face-down in a low area and try to cover your head and your neck with your arms. Never try to take cover under an underpass or bridge, as those areas can create a wind tunnel that collects dangerous debris.

Staying weather aware can help you know when to take precautions during days where severe weather is possible. Check the weather forecast daily through trusted sources of information, such as the NWS and local media. Consider changing outdoor plans if there’s a risk of tornadoes or thunderstorms during that time frame.

Learn more about Dane County Emergency Management on our website. You can also follow us on Facebook and BlueSky for weather updates and preparedness tips throughout the year.