Severe Weather Awareness Week being observed in Michigan - March 15-21, 2026

Flooding, thunderstorms, tornadoes-are all severe weather that can impact the Detroit area in the spring and summer. Tragically, four tornadoes recently touched down in Michigan, causing fatalities, injuries and destroying homes and businesses. In observance of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan in March 15 - 21, 2026, the Detroit Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management encourages residents and local businesses to be prepared before, during, and after such severe weather conditions.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, the State of Michigan is conducting a voluntary statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 18, at 1 p.m. Businesses and schools are encouraged to identify safe shelter locations in the event their area is ever under a tornado warning. Residents are asked to identify an area in the basement or a small interior room on the lowest level away from windows, so they can respond quickly if a tornado warning is ever issued.

Know the difference: a tornado WATCH means conditions exist for a tornado to develop; a tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

For additional severe weather safety tips and resources, visit ready.gov or detroitmi.gov and search "severe weather."