Tornado sirens sounded twice Thursday in Albert Lea as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The sirens were heard at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. The first siren was intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill was meant for second-shift workers and families.

According to Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Severe Weather Awareness Week is meant to refresh, remind and educate people on the threats severe weather poses and how to avoid them, along with making and practicing an emergency plan and building or refreshing emergency management kits.

Tuesday’s focus was on severe weather, lightning and hail. Wednesday featured flood awareness, and the focus Friday was extreme heat.

According to the National Weather Service, Minnesota experiences an average of 40 tornadoes per year. A state record was set in 2010 when 104 tornadoes occurred across the state.