Severe Weather awareness week is April 19 to 23, with statewide tornado drills Thursday, April 22.

At 1:45 p.m., Thursday, the National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado warning and outdoor warning sirens will be activated, according to a Carver County press release. At 6:55 p.m., a second drill will take place in Carver County for families and second shift workers.

Carver County Emergency Management urges families and businesses to take the opportunity to put together weather emergency plans.

According to National Weather Service data, tornadoes have occurred in every Minnesota county over the past 60 years. Carver County has experienced 18 tornadoes since 1950, the release stated.For more information about Severe Weather Awareness Week, visit www.severeweather.state.mn.us.