Statewide drill a reminder to prepare for severe weather
By Riley Funk
Local emergency experts are encouraging families to be proactive in developing safety plans for severe weather situations.
The recommendation falls in line with Severe Weather Preparedness Week, a time that highlights the importance of staying ready for natural disasters, including how to receive weather information when those situations arise.
The National Weather Service identifies Wednesday as a day to prepare for tornados. To emphasize the importance of these storms, the city will participate in a statewide tornado siren drill at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Bill Brinton, Buchanan County emergency management coordinator, said residents should use this drill as an opportunity to rekindle safety practices and habits. Practicing drills when hearing the tornado sirens is just one way.
“The most important things people need to think about are that our tornado sirens are meant to be heard while you’re outside,” Brinton said. “If you’re inside your home or if it’s at nighttime, you need to have an alternate … source of information.”
News-Press NOW has previously reported the sirens are used for more than just tornados. According to the policy and procedures at the St. Joseph Communications Center, the sirens are activated if winds reach 80 miles per hour or above.
If residents are unable to hear the sirens, there needs to be another source of information in the event of a weather emergency, according to Brinton. Brinton said another way to get information along with the sirens is by downloading various weather apps and signing up for Nixle alerts. By texting your zip code to 888777, area residents will have access to alerts in the county.
“Everybody, every child and every adult almost in the United States of America has a cell phone … information is the most important thing,” Brinton said. “You have to be prepared so that if something happens, you’re not caught and your family perishes.”
The week also highlights the importance of preparing for lightning, hail and flooding.
One of the most important ways to stay safe is by having an emergency kit that can last a significant amount of time. Brinton said during an emergency, people should prepare to be on their own for up to 96 hours.
“We have a box in our basement that has little extra money, it has food in it, it has water. It’s one of those things about you need to be prepared,” Brinton said.
Weather alerts can also be found by downloading News-Press NOW’s news app and the Storm Tracker Weather App.
