Merrill business testifies to value of tornado drill

Employees at one Wisconsin business said they will be taking Friday’s statewide tornado drill very seriously.

Northern Wire in Merrill saw its front office destroyed and roof ripped off by a 2011 tornado with wind speeds approaching 200 mph.

Human Resources Manager Jennifer Berreth told the Wausau Daily Herald that before that many people saw tornado drills as a kind of fun break from work. She said they now they take them much more seriously.

Wisconsin’s statewide tornado drill was originally scheduled for Thursday but was pushed to Friday because of the threat of severe weather. State officials say Friday’s tornado drill will go ahead as planned, since the National Weather Service said there is no threat of severe storms or tornadoes anywhere in Wisconsin Friday.