04/16/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2026
CONTACT: [email protected]
Statewide Tornado Exercise Cancelled; Lincoln County Encourages Continued Severe Weather Preparedness
Merrill, WI—Lincoln County Emergency Management is notifying community partners, stakeholders, and the public that today’s Wisconsin statewide tornado exercise has been cancelled due to real-world severe weather impacts and ongoing emergency response activities across the state.
While the statewide exercise will not take place, severe weather preparedness remains critically important for Lincoln County residents, businesses, schools, healthcare partners, faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and government stakeholders.
“Although today’s statewide exercise has been cancelled, preparedness cannot be cancelled with it,” said Tyler Verhasselt, Director of Emergency Management for Lincoln County. “This is still a strong opportunity for communities to revisit their tornado and severe weather plans, talk through them, and put them into action. If a plan does not already exist, this is the right time to build one.”
Lincoln County Emergency Management encourages the public and partner agencies to use today as an opportunity to review tornado and severe weather safety.
Before Severe Weather:
Community members should monitor the forecast, stay weather-aware, and make sure they have multiple ways to receive alerts and warnings. Outdoor warning sirens, NOAA Weather Radio, local media, and mobile alerts each play an important role, and no one should rely on a single source for life-safety information. People should also know in advance where they would go if a tornado warning is issued, whether at home, work, school, or in a public building.
During Severe Weather:
If a tornado warning is issued or a tornado is observed, people should take shelter immediately. The safest locations are a basement, storm cellar, or a small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. People should remain in shelter until the threat has passed and continue to monitor trusted sources for updated information.
After Severe Weather:
After a storm passes, caution should remain high. Damaged buildings, broken glass, debris, downed power lines, and utility hazards can all create life-threatening conditions. People should avoid damaged areas when possible, check for injuries, follow instructions from local officials, and report emergencies through appropriate channels.
Lincoln County Emergency Management also encourages partner agencies and stakeholders to review internal warning procedures, sheltering locations, continuity considerations, and personnel accountability processes. Severe weather can develop quickly, and preparedness at every level strengthens the resilience of the whole community.
For additional tornado and severe weather preparedness information, residents are encourages to follow guidance from ReadyWisconsin and remain alert throughout Wisconsin’s severe weather season.
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About Lincoln County Emergency Management
Lincoln County Emergency Management is dedicated to safeguarding our community and strengthening its resilience against all hazards through proactive resource acquisition, collaborative planning, and community partnerships. Our mission is to prepared for, protect against, respond to, and recover from emergencies by fostering a culture of readiness and resilience throughout Lincoln County. We provide a range of essential services, from securing and managing state and federal grants to delivering specialized training, community outreach, and coordination of disaster response and recovery operations. With a vision of an engaged, prepared, and resilient community, we work closely with local, state, and federal partners to ensure that Lincoln County is equipped to withstand and swiftly recover from any emergency. Through innovative risk mitigation initiatives and a commitment to continuous improvement, we strive to empower all community members to play an active role in enhancing Lincoln County’s safety and resilience.
For More Information
Tyler Verhasselt
Director of Emergency Management, Lincoln County
[email protected]
(715) 218-0128
